FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Gillaspie Arrival Lifts 'Crabs

Published on June 28, 2015 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (June 28, 2015) - The Stone Crabs lost a bit of their edge during a recent slide in which they dropped eight out of nine. For the first time, they didn't control the momentum over the course of a nine inning game. And it's to be expected over the course of a long season, especially when players that were so integral to the team's first half success keep getting promoted to Double-A Montgomery. In their place, the Stone Crabs got reinforcements from the Bowling Green Hot Rods. And after Brent Honeywell's Saturday night debut was spoiled, Casey Gillaspie and Jace Conrad picked up the slack with a pair of home runs in the third inning of Sunday's 7-4 win to snap the Threshers longest winning streak (eight) in five years.

Although defense hasn't exactly been a strong suit for this Stone Crabs group, it was surprising when Kean Wong made two errors in the top of the second. The normally sure handed second baseman bobbled a Chace Numata bouncer with one out after Taylor Guerrieri struck out a pair in a scoreless first. A single by Willians Astudillo and a walk to Mitchell Walding loaded the bases for Angelo Mora, who rolled a slow grounder to second. Wong charged in but fumbled with it yet again, and the second mistake brought in a run to give Clearwater a 1-0 lead. Two pitches later, Malquin Canelo sent a high chopper to third for Conrad, who stepped on the bag before firing across for an inning-ending double play.

Threshers starter Matt Imhof was perfect in his first two innings, but put the tying run on when Armando Araiza led off the third with a single into left. Braxton Lee drew a walk, but Imhof responded by retiring Yoel Araujo and John Jaso. Wong redeemed himself with a game-tying single into left, and a walk to Willy Adames loaded the bases for Gillaspie. Last year's 20th overall pick, who hit 16 home runs in 64 games with the Hot Rods, laid into an 0-1 pitch and sent it over the Threshers bullpen in left for the Stone Crabs first grand slam of the season to make it 5-1. A walk to Marty Gantt brought up Conrad, who ran into the first pitch for a two run bullet onto the boardwalk in right for a 7-1 lead.

Guerrieri struck out five across four innings, and left the lead for Buddy Borden (8-3), who no-hit the Threshers back on May 13. Pitching in relief for the first time since May 23, Borden looked very uncomfortable on the mound and walked Canelo and Carlos Tocci in the fifth. With two outs, Rhys Hoskins continued his incredible start with the Threshers and launched his third home run in four games to left to cut the deficit to 7-4. Over the last four innings, both bullpens were literally unhittable and Josh Kimborowicz earned his second save with a perfect ninth inning after suffering his first loss Friday night in that 15-inning marathon in Fort Myers.

The teams meet again for the third game of the series on Monday night at 7:00 PM. Fans can buy a regular priced ticket to receive an additional ticket for just $1, and enjoy items from our special $1 menu all game long! Tickets are still available, so visit www.stonecrabsbaseball.com or call 941-206-HITS (4487) to order your tickets now!

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Florida State League Stories from June 28, 2015


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