Charlotte Offense Keeps Churning in Huge Loss to Mets
June 24, 2017 - Florida State League (FSL) - Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release
PORT SAINT LUCIE, Fla. (June 23, 2017) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs allowed a franchise-record 19 runs in a 19-7 loss to the St. Lucie Mets Friday night at First Data Field.
Despite the big loss, Charlotte's offense continued to swing it well, picking up seven runs on 14 hits. The Stone Crabs (1-1, 32-38) have now scored 34 runs in their last five games (6.8 R/G).
Charlotte opened up a five-run lead Friday before letting the game get away.
With one out in the top of the first, Peter Maris clubbed a solo home run to right to put Charlotte on top 1-0. Brandon Lowe, Brett Sullivan and Dalton Kelly all singled to left against St. Lucie (1-1, 34-36) starter Jordan Humphreys . With the bases loaded and one out, Ryan Boldt pulled a single to right to give Charlotte a 3-0 lead.
Still up three in the top of the second, Thomas Milone slashed a double to the left field corner. Cronenworth then singled up the middle to plate Milone and give the Stone Crabs a 4-0 lead. After an error and a fielder's choice put runners at the corners, Brett Sullivan singled up the middle to open up a 5-0 Charlotte lead.
With the Stone Crabs up by that count in the bottom of the third, the Mets picked up three straight singles to load the bases with nobody out. Charlotte starter Michael Velasquez (0-5) then walked John Mora to force in a run and make the score 5-1. Michael Paez followed by flying out to center to score Jose Garcia and make the score 5-2. Jhoan Urena then grounded into a fielder's choice, pushing across Enmanuel Zabala to bring the tally to 5-3. After a Patrick Mazeika single moved Urena to second, Peter Alonso doubled off the wall in left to pull St. Lucie to within one.
In the fourth, Lowe and Sullivan connected on back-to-back doubles to extend the Stone Crabs' lead to 6-4.
In the bottom of the inning, St. Lucie shortstop J.C. Rodriguez doubled before Garcia singled him to third. Zabala then lined a hit to right to bring in Rodriguez and make the score 6-5. Mora followed with a single to right to load the bases. After a pitching change, Stone Crabs catcher David Rodriguez allowed a passed ball, bringing home Garcia to tie the game. After a groundout and a walk loaded the bases with one out, Mazeika drew a free pass to force in a run and make the score 7-6 St. Lucie. The next batter was Alonso, who delivered the biggest swing of the night, a grand slam to left that pushed the Mets' lead to 11-6.
The Mets added seven more runs in the fifth on an Urena three-run homer and Vinny Siena grand slam.
St. Lucie reliever Alex Palsha (2-1) worked two hitless innings of relief to earn the win.
Friday marked the second time this season that the Stone Crabs broke the franchise record for runs allowed in a game. They allowed 17 runs to the Fort Myers Miracle on May 26. The previous high had been 15 runs, which was set on July 16, 2010 at Brevard County.
The Stone Crabs and Mets will meet again Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Travis Ott (2-1, 4.29) makes the start for Charlotte against Merandy Gonzalez (High-A Debut) of St. Lucie. Coverage begins at 6:15 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.
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Florida State League Stories from June 24, 2017
- Ott Dazzles, Sullivan Homers in 6-1 Win over St. Lucie - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Losing Streak Reaches Six - Daytona Tortugas
- Miracle Lose Back-And-Forth Battle with Florida - Fort Myers Miracle
- Garcia Goes Yard Again, Threshers Hang On - Clearwater Threshers
- Charlotte Offense Keeps Churning in Huge Loss to Mets - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Tortugas Drop Fifth Straight - Daytona Tortugas
- Win Streak Snapped as Blue Jays Even Series - Tampa Yankees
- Mets Hit 2 Grand Slams, Thrash Stone Crabs 19-7 - St. Lucie Mets
- Sandberg Slugs Four Hits in 8-3 Win - Clearwater Threshers
- New Crew Aid Thorpe in First Win of Second Half - Fort Myers Miracle
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