Hoffman stifles Dunedin; St. Petersburg into third

Paced by Rich Hoffman's pitching, the St. Petersburg Cardinals defeated the Dunedin Blue Jays 5-1 Thursday night at Al Lang Stadium. Hoffman (5-8) allowed one run on three hits over seven innings while striking out four and walking two. David Grimes came in for Hoffman in the eighth and kept the Blue Jays from mounting a threat as he allowed just one baserunner over the final two innings.

Tim Redman had the hot bat for the Cardinals, picking up two of the team's five hits and driving in one run. He scored another.

With the win, the Cardinals (27-34) have moved from last place to third in just two days, jumping past the Blue Jays and the Clearwater Phillies in the West Division of the Florida State League.

Dunedin opened a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning when third baseman Mark Young walked to lead off, advanced to second on Todd Provence's groundout and scored on Greg O'Halloran's double.

The Cardinals tied the game in the bottom of the fifth after Joe Federico walked and advanced to second on Tripp Cromer's single. Catcher Tim Redman singled off pitcher Rick Trlicek's leg, allowing Federico to score. Trlicek, who was pitching effectively, had to leave the game and was replaced by Tim Brown.

Charlotte 10, Clearwater 1

PORT CHARLOTTE _ First baseman Darren Niethammer went 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI as the Charlotte Rangers routed the Clearwater Phillies 10-1 Thursday night at Charlotte County Stadium.