FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Early Blast Digs Big Hole for Crabs

Published on August 5, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - Fort Myers left fielder Chris Paul entered Friday night's game at Charlotte Sports Park hitting .213 with exactly zero home runs in 83 games, a disappointing season by any measure.

He made it a little bit more exciting on Friday night.

Paul socked a three-run home run to blow the game open in the third, and the Fort Myers Miracle beat the Charlotte Stone Crabs 5-1 in a crucial FSL South matchup.

Stone Crabs starter Benton Moss was in trouble from the get-go. Tanner English, fresh off three months on the disabled list, tripled to lead off the game and scored on a Nick Gordon single. Paul knocked a base hit to put two on, and the runners advanced on a groundout. Joe Maloney hit a sac fly to center to score Gordon, but Paul was thrown out from behind at second by Mikie Mahtook to end the inning.

The real carnage came in the third. Moss (6-8) picked up the first out of the inning, but allowed a double to English and a base hit to Gordon to put runners on the corners with one out. Paul walked up and slammed his shot to deep left, opening up the game at 5-0.

The Stone Crabs managed their only offense on the night in the third, and it was thanks entirely to Major League rehab guys. Mahtook singled with two out in the inning against debuting Miracle starter Cody Stashak, and Matt Duffy drove Mahtook home with a double to the wall to cut the lead to 5-1.

Stashak (1-0) finished his debut with six innings, allowing six hits and just the one run. Neither team scored after the third inning, and the Stone Crabs bullpen was particularly good, retiring 19 of the final 21 batters for the Miracle.

The series continues on Saturday with Partner Appreciation Night at Charlotte Sports Park. Stone Crabs LHP Grayson Garvin (0-1, 2.74) takes the mound against Miracle RHP Fernando Romero (3-1, 2.31). First pitch is set for 6:05. 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 5, 2016


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