Big First Inning Leads Lakeland Past Fort Myers 7-2
June 30, 2023 - Florida State League (FSL)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels' three-game win streak was snapped Friday, after a four-run first led the Lakeland Flying Tigers to a 7-2 win at Hammond Stadium.
In the top of the first, Mussels' (37-35, 3-3) starter Develson Aria (2-4) walked five of the first six hitters he faced. After forcing in three runs without recording an out, Aria was pulled for reliever Jarret Whorff. The next Lakeland (27-44, 1-5) hitter was Cristian Santana, who sent a fly ball out to center field. Jose De La Cruz tagged from third and scored on the sac fly to make it 4-0 Flying Tigers.
With the same score in the top of the second and one out, Andrew Jenkins reached on an error and advanced to second on a wild pitch. De La Cruz followed with a line-drive single to center that scored Jenkins and extended the Tigers' lead to 5-0.
Whorff was stellar in relief otherwise, allowing an unearned run while fanning four over four frames. He has now allowed just one earned run over his past 11.2 innings (0.80 ERA).
In the bottom of the third, Maddux Houghton and Ricardo Olivar drew back-to-back walks with two outs to place runners at first and second. Austin Martin then served a line-drive single to center that scored Houghton to make it 5-1.
Still trailing by four in the bottom of the fourth, Dylan Neuse and Francis Florentino drew walks to place two runners on with two down. The next hitter was Kamron Willman, who cracked a hard liner to right for an RBI single that cut the deficit to 5-2.
In the top of the fifth, De La Cruz singled to center and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Two hitters later, Archer Brookman flared a single to shallow right. On the play, De La Cruz scored from second on a close play at the plate to push the Lakeland lead to 6-2.
With two outs in the top of the eighth, Luke Gold walked and stole second to set up an RBI single from Jenkins that made it 7-2.
The Flying Tigers' bullpen shut down the Mussels for the remainder of the game, teaming up for 5.1 shutout innings to secure the victory. Fort Myers finished the night leaving a season-high 14 runners on base.
The Mussels will eye a bounceback tomorrow as they hand Jack Noble (Low-A Debut) the ball while the Flying Tigers counter with right-hander Carlos Marcano (1-4, 5.26). First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. with coverage beginning at 5:45 p.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.
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Florida State League Stories from June 30, 2023
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