FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Manatees rout Stone Crabs, 12-1

Published on May 23, 2012 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE - Shawn Zarraga drove in five runs for Brevard County as the Manatees defeated the Stone Crabs 12-1 at Charlotte Sports Park.

C.J. Riefenhauser (6-1) entered the game with a league-leading 0.70 ERA, but could not halt the Manatee offense on Wednesday night.

The Manatees were quick to get to Riefenhauser. Shea Vucinich was hit by a pitch and stole second, and Zarraga followed with a two-out single over the head of shortstop Robi Estrada to push across Vucinich.

Brevard County tacked on another with two down in the second. Reggie Keen singled and moved to second on a balk. Then on a 3-0 count Adam Weisenburger drove a hanging breaking ball to the track in centerfield that fell in for a double to make it 2-0 Manatees.

The Stone Crabs got one back in the home half.

Derek Dietrich led off with a single, and moved to third with two out when Phil Wunderlich chopped a single over the head of first baseman Cody Hawn. Jimmy Nelson's first offering to Keith Castillo skipped past Weisenburger for a passed ball, allowing Dietrich to come in and score.

The Manatees quickly gained that run back in the third. Vucinich and TJ Middelstaedt delivered back-to-back singles to set up runners at the corners with one down, and Zarraga lifted a sacrifice fly to center to plate Vucinich with the Manatees' third run.

Brevard County exploded for six more runs in the fourth to end Riefenhauser's day early. Despite having allowed only three earned runs on the season entering Wednesday, Riefenhauser (6-1) was charged with eight runs, all earned, on 10 hits in just 3-2/3 innings of work. His ERA jumped from 0.70 to 2.36.

George Jensen relieved Riefenhauser and inherited runners at the corners. The count ran full to Zarraga before he drove the payoff pitch from Jensen just over the wall in right-center to give Brevard County a comfortable 9-1 lead.

The Manatees added one in the fifth on an RBI groundout by Adam Weisenburger to hit double digits in the score column, and one more in the eighth to make it 11-1.

The Charlotte offense was stifled by Brevard County pitching for the second straight evening. Nelson (3-4) dominated Charlotte hitters through seven innings, allowing just one unearned run on five hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out seven.

After a 27-minute rain delay halted play in the bottom of the eighth, Stone Crabs infielder Steve Tinoco took the mound in the ninth, becoming the first Charlotte position player to pitch this year. Tinoco allowed one run in his inning of work.

The Stone Crabs will try for a split of the four game set when Grayson Garvin (2-3) takes the hill against Brandon Williamson (0-2). Thursday will be Summer St. Patty's Day at Charlotte Sports Park in addition to Thirsty Thursday presented by Joe Cracker. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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Florida State League Stories from May 23, 2012


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