Johnstone Solid in Return, Florida Falls to Palm Beach
August 6, 2018 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Florida Fire Frogs News Release
Florida Fire Frogs pitcher Connor Johnstone
(Florida Fire Frogs)
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Florida Fire Frogs took a 2-0 lead into the ninth inning, but saw the advantage slip away into a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Palm Beach Cardinals at Osceola County Stadium on Monday night.
Sean McLaughlin took the mound in the final frame to start his second inning of work with a two-run lead, and hit Brian O'Keefe to start things off. Scott Hurst singled pinch runner Chase Pinder up to second, and both men advanced 90 ft. on a ground out to second by Ryan McCarvel.
Jon Kennedy (5-5) came in from the bullpen to try to lock down the save, but an infield, RBI single by Iving Lopez and an RBI knock by Juan Yepez knotted the game at two apiece. The southpaw then yielded a sacrifice fly to Jose Martinez to put Florida (14-25, 44-62) behind by a run.
Palm Beach (20-23, 59-48) turned to Brian Dobzanski (SV, 2) in the bottom of the ninth, and the right-hander worked around a one-out walk to Kevin Josephina (2x3, BB) to had the Fire Frogs their 11th loss in their last 12 games.
Connor Johnstone left the contest with a chance for the win in his first appearance at the High-A level since July 8. The product of Wake Forest blanked the Cardinals through five frames on three hits and five punchouts. Of the right-handers 66 pitches, 48 went for strikes.
Drew Waters (2x5, 2 R) scored both runs for the home team. The switch hitter singled to start the game and came around to score on William Contreras' (2x3, RBI, BB) bloop single to center. In the third, the 100th-ranked prospect (MLB.com) singled to start the frame and was pushed across the plate on an RBI single by Jared James (1x4, RBI).
James' RBI knock extended the Sacramento native's hitting streak to a season-high, eight games. During the stretch, the left-handed batter is hitting .387 by going 12-for-31 at the plate.
Florida will look to bounce back in game two of the three-game set at Osceola County Stadium on Tuesday night. RHP Ian Anderson (2-5, 2.57) takes the mound for the first time since being named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 31 - Aug. 5 on Monday. It has yet to be announced who will counter the Atlanta Braves' third-ranked prospect for the Cardinals. First pitch is scheduled for 6:31 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:15 p.m. with the Florida Fire Frogs Pre-game Show on the Florida Fire Frogs Broadcasting Network.
Tuesday is Taco Tuesday at the ballpark, where all fans can enjoy two tacos for just $3. Fans 21-and-old can enjoy $5 Corona specials.
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 Florida Fire Frogs pitcher Connor Johnstone |
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