Kraus Dazzles as Freedom Blank Crushers
July 6, 2018 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
AVON, OH - Looking for a team-leading seventh quality start of the season, Jordan Kraus hurled a complete-game shut-out as the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, took the opener of a weekend series, 4-0, over the Lake Erie Crushers on Friday at Sprenger Stadium.
Kraus (4-4) escaped an early-jam in the bottom of the first, as Lake Erie (25-23) got a lead-off double from Aaron Hill and bunted him to third base one batter later. Kewby Meyer then reached first on a fielder's choice come-backer to Kraus, who attempted to throw behind the runner at third base but saw Hill dive back in safely. Joel McKeithan then lined into a double play next, as Caleb Lopes squeezed the hot-shot at second and doubled Meyer off first to end the inning with the 0-0 score still intact.
Sean Renzi (5-3) matched Kraus early, keeping the Freedom (24-24) off the board through their first three at-bats. Still scoreless with two-outs in the top of the fourth, Florence drew first blood when Xavier Turner dropped a single into center before stealing second base. Ricky Ramirez Jr. would make it count, lacing a triple to the gap in right-center as the Freedom moved in front, 1-0. Florence would extend their lead in the top of the seventh. After Jimmy Heck worked a walk, Caleb Lopes found a gap in left-center, pushing runners to second and third on his fifth double of the season. With two-outs, Jordan Brower guided a single to left, scoring both runners to give the designated hitter twenty five RBI this season, second-most among Freedom hitters. Renzi finished his night having spanned seven strong innings, allowing three runs, all earned, on seven hits with three walks and a pair of strikeouts en route to the quality start loss. Florence added a final insurance run in their next at-bat in the eighth.
With relief pitcher Kent Hasler on the slab for the Crushers, Turner started the final rally with his second single of the night, but wound up at third base shortly thereafter, thanks to catcher Mason Brown throwing wild to second with Turner stealing, sending the ball into centerfield. Keivan Berges was then able to plate Turner on a ground-out to short as the Freedom moved in front by the eventual, 4-0, final score.
From the bottom of the third through the eighth, Kraus faced the minimum five times on his way to win number four of the season. The right-hander faced four hitters in the ninth, completing his shut-out and slamming the door on his fourth win of the season. In the complete game shut-out, Kraus scattered six hits while walking just one and striking out seven in a marvelous quality start.
This East versus West Division battle will continue with a 6:05 p.m first pitch in the middle-game Saturday night at Sprenger Stadium. Florence will trot out right-hander, Christian DeLeon with Lake Erie countering with righty Alex Romero.
Frontier League Stories from July 6, 2018
- Iriart's 8th Inning Home Run Lifts Normal in Series Opener - Normal CornBelters
- Miners Blitzed by ThunderBolts in Third Straight Loss - Southern Illinois Miners
- ThunderBolts Pound out 23 Hits in Win at Southern Illinois - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Kraus Dazzles as Freedom Blank Crushers - Florence Y'alls
- Rascals Route Slammers in Opener - River City Rascals
- Late Homer Sinks Boomers - Schaumburg Boomers
- Grizzlies Top Traverse, Win Third Straight - Gateway Grizzlies
- Wild Things Shutout in Series Opener - Washington Wild Things
- Beach Bums Drop Weekend Series Opener to Gateway - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Crushers blanked in series opener - Lake Erie Crushers
- Otters Blank Wild Things in Series Opener - Evansville Otters
- Normal Acquires Right-Hander Zach Kirby from Florence - Normal CornBelters
- Normal Drops Game One, Joliet Walks It off in Series Finale - Normal CornBelters
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