Bats Back Walker in Series-Closing Victory
Published on August 5, 2018 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Florida Fire Frogs News Release
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Florida Fire Frogs snapped their 10-game losing streak with a 7-3 victory over the Fort Myers Miracle to close out the seven-game road trip on Sunday afternoon.
Florida (15-24, 44-61) started the scoring for with an RBI groundout from Braxton Davidson (1x5, R, HR, 4 RBI) in the top of the first inning. After Drew Waters (1x4, R, BB) drew a free pass to start the game against Bryan Sammons (0-1), the 19-year-old stole second with Riley Delgado (0x4, R, BB) at the dish.
Delgado went down on strikes for the first out of the frame, but Jared James (2x4, R, BB) moved the runner to third with an infield single to put runners on the corners for Davidson. The left-handed batter rolled grounder back to the mound, with Waters scoring from third on the play for the 1-0 advantage.
The Fire Frogs put a crooked number up in the third with a four-spot to break the game open. Kevin Josephina (2x5, R) singled to start the inning in front of Waters' fly out to center. After a walk by Delgado, James flew out to center for the second out, but Davidson delivered with a three-run shot to right to stretch the lead to 4-0.
Jordan Rodgers (3x5, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI) followed the three-run jack with a double, and Garrison Schwartz (2x4, 3B, 2 RBI, BB) drove the runner home with a triple to give the Fire Frogs a five-run edge.
Rodgers belted a solo blast in the fifth against Dylan Stowell to push the advantage to six. The Tennessee product finished the day with three hits, tying a season-high.
Jeremy Walker (3-10) blanked Fort Myers (24-18, 52-58) through the first six innings, but ran into trouble in the seventh. After allowing a lead-off double to Ryan Costello, the right-hander got the first out of the inning with a fly out to right by Robby Rinn, moving Costello to third on the play.
The product of Gardner-Webb walked Ernie De La Trinidad to put runners on the corners for ben Rortvedt, who singled home Costello to break up the shutout bid.
Walker punched out Mark Contreras to end the 6-foot-5 hurler's day after 96 pitches - 60 strikes. The starter finished the contest with one run allowed on seven hits, two free passes and five strikeouts across 6.2 innings for his first win since June 19.
Dan Lietz took over for Walker and walked Royce Lewis to load the bases, but struck out Travis Blankenhorn to leave the maximum. The left-handed reliever did allow two runs in the eighth on an RBI double by Robby Rinn and a run-scoring groundout off the bat of Ernie De La Cruz.
Schwartz pushed the lead up to four with an RBI knock in the ninth, driving home James from second.
Chase Johnson-Mullins allowed two base runners in the ninth, but finished the game with a groundout back to the mound off the bat of Alex Kriloff to secure the four-run victory.
Florida heads back home to Osceola County Stadium to open up a seven-game homestand with game one of a three-game set against the Palm Beach Cardinals on Monday night. It has yet to be announced who will start for either side. First pitch is scheduled for 6:31 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:15 p.m. with the Florida Fire Frogs Pre-game Show on the Florida Fire Frogs Broadcasting Network.
Florida State League Stories from August 5, 2018
- Tortugas Lose Road Finale, Finish 2-4 on 6 Day Trip - Daytona Tortugas
- Bats Back Walker in Series-Closing Victory - Florida Fire Frogs
- Jays Sweep Homestand with Huge Comeback Win - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Threshers Fall in 10 Innings, 3-2 - Clearwater Threshers
- Errors Hurt Tarpons as Flying Tigers Complete Sweep - Tampa Tarpons
- Dimino Clubs Winning Double in 12th Inning - St. Lucie Mets
- Tampa Tarpons Game Notes: vs. Lakeland - Tampa Tarpons
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