Blue Jays Overpower Stone Crabs, 11-1

Dunedin came in to the day ranked first in the Florida State League in batting average and runs scored. The Blue Jays continued that pattern on Sunday when they plated five runs in the first two innings off Stone Crabs starter Braulio Lara, and tacked on six more off the Charlotte bullpen.

Lara (3-4) struggled with his command early on, as eight of his first nine offerings were outside of the strike zone. The first three batters in the Dunedin order reached base thanks to two walks and a hit batsman, before Jon Talley lined a single just over the head of Riccio Torrez at third to give the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead.

Dunedin opened the second with back-to-back singles, and with two down Kevin Nolan raked a 1-1 Lara offering on a line over the wall in left for his third home run of the season.

Lara lasted just 2-2/3 innings before leaving in favor of George Jensen. He was charged with five earned runs on five hits while walking four, and dropped his fourth straight decision.

The Stone Crabs got their lone run in the fourth. Derek Dietrich turned on the first offering from John Stilson and blasted his sixth home run of the season out to right.

The Blue Jays added five more off Jensen, highlighted by a grand slam to right off the bat of Kenen Bailli in the sixth that gave Dunedin a 10-1 lead.

John Stilson (2-0) was the beneficiary of Dunedin's offensive outpouring, and he delivered five strong innings to earn the victory. He allowed just one run on six hits while striking out seven.

Nolan added a sacrifice fly for the Blue Jays in the seventh to push the Dunedin lead to ten. Nolan was a perfect 3-for-3 on the day with four runs driven in.

Kevin Kiermaier and Hector Guevara each had two hits for the Stone Crabs. Guevara is now five for his last eight.

Charlotte remains winless on Sundays, but will look for a series split on Monday as FSL All-Star C.J. Riefenhauser (6-1) will take the hill in search of his league-leading seventh victory. Dunedin will counter with Casey Lawrence (4-0). First pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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Florida State League Stories from June 3, 2012

• Brevard Walks off with Win in Pitcher's Duel - Brevard County Manatees
• Blue Jays Overpower Stone Crabs, 11-1 - Charlotte Stone Crabs
• Boer, Bullpen Shut Down Cubs in 4-0 Win - Fort Myers Miracle

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