FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

'Crabs Lose Tough One to Marauders 7-6

Published on April 23, 2015 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


BRADENTON, FL - When last week's roadtrip got started in Daytona, the Stone Crabs pretty much controlled tempo since the bus rolled out of Port Charlotte. But it may just be the right time to return home, because Wednesday night's game in Bradenton had all the makings of another resounding effort that would have given them their sixth straight win. Instead, a six run second inning wasn't enough and the Marauders rallied back to take the series finale 7-6 in front of a crowd of 749 at McKechnie Field.

The story for Bradenton through the season's first two weeks is simple: they can clobber any team into oblivion, but it all depends on how many runs they're willing to give up. Charlotte's second inning could not have gone any better after failing to score against Steven Brault in the first despite having first and third with no outs.

With one gone in the second, singles by Yoel Araujo and Mike Marjama, and a four pitch walk to Braxton Lee loaded the bases for the top of the order. Andrew Velazquez, following a double in the first, appeared to injure his left shoulder on a swing. He stayed in the game and fouled off a few more pitches before Michael Johns decided to lift the third baseman for Juniel Querecuto. The switch-hitter rocketed the first pitch he saw for a two-run double to break the scoreless tie. After Kean Wong struck out, the Marauders brought in lefthander Andy Otamendi from the bullpen. Willy Adames laid into the southpaw's first pitch for a three-run homer to left and a 5-0 lead. Jake Bauers then worked the count full and slugged his second home run of the series over the boardwalk in right center. At 6-0 and frustration mounting, Otamendi threw behind Joey Rickard and was quickly ejected by home plate umpire Kirk Struble. Marauders manager Michael Ryan argued vehemently with both umpires before getting tossed and joining Otamendi in the clubhouse.

Perhaps the passion woke up the Marauders, who finally scored in the fourth against Chris Kirsch. JaCoby Jones' one out chopper to third skipped off Querecuto before an Erich Weiss single and a walk loaded the bases for the bottom of the order. Three straight singles from Edwin Espinal, Wyatt Mathisen, and Junior Sosa made it 6-4 in the blink of an eye. Kirsch's night ended when he walked Austin Meadows to reload the bases. Fortunately, Jeff Ames' came in and retired the next two hitters to get out of the jam.

Ames made it all the way to the seventh, fighting through a total of three walks in the fifth and sixth. With runners at second and third and one out in the fifth, Espinal flied out to Araujo in right. Upon seeing Jones tagging from third, Araujo fired a one hop bullet to the plate that was in plenty of time for a dramatic inning-ending double play.

Reese McGuire led off the home seventh with a single to bring the tying run to the plate. Ames, who was in line to pick up his second win, got Jones to pop out before working ahead of Weiss. The 1-2 pitch was turned on and sent deep into the Bradenton night for a game-tying homer to right. Ames exited for Brad Schreiber (0-1), who quickly got the second out of the inning before Espinal jumped on a 2-0 pitch for a solo shot to left and the eventual game-winner.

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Florida State League Stories from April 23, 2015


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