FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Bullpen, Bats Bring Big Win

Published on August 6, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - Few teams in the Florida State League have had bullpens as good as Charlotte's this year, and Saturday night was perhaps the best example of their dominance all season.

Three Stone Crabs relievers picked up Grayson Garvin, who was removed with two out in the first inning, and Charlotte roared back to beat Fort Myers 5-3 at Charlotte Sports Park and move 1.5 games back of first place in the FSL South.

Garvin was dealt a poor stroke of luck when rain started to fall moments after he took the mound to begin the game. After the first two outs were recorded, the left-hander hit Chris Paul, gave up a hit to Joe Maloney, and then uncorked two wet wild pitches to score the game's first run. TJ White stepped up and hit a two-run homer, giving the Miracle a 3-0 lead. Garvin then walked Trey Vavra and was removed from the game at 27 pitches.

Mike Franco relieved Garvin and finished the first with a pop out, then went on to record four more shutout innings, allowing just one hit in the process. Franco (6-4) was followed by Jose Alvarado, who worked around two hits and two walks to post two scoreless frames, and a filthy Diego Castillo, who worked two no-hit innings with three strikeouts to record his third save of the year.

Meanwhile, the Stone Crabs offense went to work right away on Miracle ace Fernando Romero. Jake Cronenworth drew a one-out walk, Grant Kay followed with a base hit, and Joe McCarthy walked to load the bases. Mac James tapped a grounder to the right side of second which ended in a force, scoring the first run. Nick Ciuffo delivered an RBI single to score Kay and cut the Fort Myers lead to 3-2.

Romero (3-2) struggled all night, giving up a double to Jace Conrad to lead off the second. With Conrad on third and two out, Kay came through with his second hit of the night to tie the game.

In the following inning, Romero hit James with a pitch leading off, and Ciuffo bounced into a fielder's choice to take James' place on first. Cristian Toribio grounded out softly, advancing Ciuffo to second, and Conrad drove a single into left to give the Stone Crabs the lead for good.

Conrad had an exceptional evening, going 4-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and a run batted in. He scored a second time in the eighth, when Thomas Milone bashed a two-out triple into the left field corner to give Charlotte an insurance run heading into the ninth.

The two teams, 7-7 against each other on the season, square off in a rubber match on Sunday afternoon at Charlotte Sports Park. Stone Crabs RHP Greg Harris (7-6, 3.76) takes the hill against debuting Miracle RHP Dereck Rodriguez. First pitch is set for 12:35. It's Super Sunday, which means kids 13 and under get free reserve admission at the FCB Box Office! This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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Florida State League Stories from August 6, 2016


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