FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Escobar, Stanek Stand out in Win

Published on July 8, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (July 8, 2014) - Unless you're really familiar with the Rays farm system, the premiere storyline heading into Tuesday night's opener with the Hammerheads was Yunel Escobar's rehab assignment. The Tampa Bay shortstop was down with the Stone Crabs working his way back from a shoulder injury sustained on June 24. However, the main attraction was on the mound, where last year's first-round pick Ryne Stanek outdueled two-time Major League All-Star Brad Penny in the `Crabs 4-1 victory before 1,905 at Charlotte Sports Park. It was the quickest game of the season, lasting just two hours and 10 minutes.

The first highlight came and went like a flash in the top half of the second inning. Blake Barber's two out single off Stanek represented the game's first baserunner. Several pitches later, the Hammerheads designated hitter attempted to steal second, but Justin O'Conner's bullet throw to Escobar at second was in plenty of time for the final out. In the third, Jupiter seized the early lead following a leadoff walk by Cody Keefer and a double by Sharif Othman. Ryan Goetz' groundout to short scored the run, but Stanek would retire the next eight hitters in a row.

Penny took a no-hitter into the fifth before Granden Goetzman's one out double down the left field line got the tying run into scoring position. Josh Sale's flyout to center allowed Jonathan Quionez to tag a laser down into the left field corner to even the score at one apiece. Ariel Soriano then followed with a hard single over short for his ninth run batted in to put the Stone Crabs ahead 2-1.

Stanek nearly gave it back during his final inning in the sixth. Goetz led off with a single, but Noah Perio's bunt attempt sailed right back to the mound for an easy popup and the first out. Another strikeout of Justin Bohn and a nice battle with fellow 2013 first rounder Colin Moran resulted in a single on a 3-2 pitch. Viosergy Rosa, who's hit a couple of long home runs against the Stone Crabs this season, then struck out looking on the 81st pitch from (1-0).

Lefthander Sam Alvis replaced Penny (0-2) in the seventh, starting his evening by retiring Maxx Tissenbaum and Granden Goetzman. He nearly had Sale, who swung threw an 0-2 offspeed pitch that bounced over everyone at home plate and allowed Sale to reach on the dropped third strike. The Hammerheads would pay once Quionez brought in his second run with a triple down into the right field corner to make it 3-1. In the eighth, three singles by Escobar, Patrick Leonard, and an RBI base hit by O'Conner added another insurance run for a 4-1 lead. With Stanek (1-0) out, Kevin Brandt chugged through the final three innings for his fourth save, retiring the final eight hitters he faced after Barber's one out single in the seventh.

The series continues on Wednesday at 12 noon when Jordan Harrison (0-0, 1.80 ERA) makes his second start against the Hammerheads Austin Brice (5-6, 3.43 ERA). It's our second Summer Camp Day at Charlotte Sports Park, where fans can enjoy a Kayem hot dog for just $1! There are plenty of great seats still available, so please visit www.stonecrabsbaseball.com or call 941-206-HITS (4487) to order your tickets now!

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Florida State League Stories from July 8, 2014


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