FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Manatees Eke out Stone Crabs in Extras

Published on July 22, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - Two errors from green third baseman Andrew Velazquez in the top of the tenth cost the Stone Crabs a run, and Charlotte lost 3-2 in 10 innings to Brevard County on Thursday night at Charlotte Sports Park.

Jose Alvarado (1-1) began the inning with a groundout, then got a bouncer from Malik Collymore towards third. The natural shortstop Velazquez fielded the ball but, perhaps overestimating how hard he needed to throw from a shallower position, airmailed the throw into the stands, putting Collymore on second. The Manatee runner broke for third during the next at-bat, and Velazquez dropped the throw from Armando Araiza, allowing Collymore to score what proved to be the winning run.

The Stone Crabs saw excellent performances on the mound all night, as their pitching kept the Manatees bats mostly quiet. Rays closer Brad Boxberger threw a dominant first inning in a rehab start, striking out two and throwing just 11 pitches as he comes back from an oblique strain. Greg Harris retired eight of his last nine after a rocky start, and Ian Gibaut got seven clean outs out of the pen.

The Manatees got the first run home early. Fidel Pena led off the third with a base hit, and light-hitting shortstop Jose Cuas followed with a single of his own to put runners on the corners with no out. After a strikeout, Harris got a soft grounder to third from leadoff hitter Corey Ray. Pena broke for the plate after the throw went to first, putting the Manatees ahead 1-0.

Brevard County scored again in the fourth in much the same manner. Harris loaded the bases with one out on a hit and two walks. Pena hit a loping grounder to first, where Alec Sole fielded the ball but had no time to go anywhere but his own bag. Dustin DeMuth scored to make it 2-0 Manatees.

The Stone Crabs clawed a run back with a two-out fifth inning rally against Perrin, who was otherwise brilliant, retiring 14 of the first 15 he faced. Armando Araiza, the 16th man up in the ballgame for Charlotte, singled to bring up Jace Conrad, who snapped an 0-for-24 skid with a double to the left-field corner that cut the Manatee lead to 2-1.

After several innings of coming close without breaking through, the Stone Crabs tied the game in the ninth. Sole walked to lead off the inning, and Velazquez lined a double into right-center to put runners on second and third with no outs. Araiza walked to load the bases, but Conrad lined into a hard-luck double play that left runners on first and third. New pitcher Jon Olczak (1-2) promptly buried a 55-footer that went to the backstop, scoring Sole and tying the game.

The Stone Crabs and Manatees return to action on Friday night at Charlotte Sports Park. It's Pokemon Go night, with trainers of all ages encouraged to come catch Pokemon on the field from 5:30-5:50 after gates open. Trainers who present their profile page at the FCB Box Office receive a free ticket to the game. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35, with Stone Crabs RHP Chris Pike (3-7, 4.08) set to face Manatees RHP Bubba Derby (6-8, 5.32). 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 July 22, 2016


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