FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Mateo hurls gem, Stone Crabs walk off in extras

Published on August 11, 2012 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE -- The Charlotte Stone Crabs and Jupiter Hammerheads needed extra innings on Saturday, but an errant throw in the bottom of the 13th inning from Jupiter reliever Patrick Merkling allowed Robby Price to score the game winner in Charlotte's 2-1 walk-off victory.

The Stone Crabs had been held hitless for the previous six innings, but Price opened the bottom of the 13th with a single up the middle.

After Kevin Kiermaier laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner to second, Cody Rogers tapped a slow grounder in front of the mound for an infield hit that Merkling (0-1) threw low to first. The throw skipped past first baseman Mark Canha and up the line to allow Price to cross with the winning run.

Victor Mateo started and turned in a dominant performance for the Stone Crabs, working a career-high eight innings of one-run ball. The Charlotte righty allowed just five hits and a walk while striking out five, but did not earn a decision.

Mateo's eight innings were a season-high for any Stone Crabs pitcher. He needed just 89 pitches in the effort, 57 of which were for strikes. Mateo has lasted at least five innings in each of his last 10 starts, and has not allowed more than three runs in an outing since June 28 against Fort Myers.

Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Luke Scott began his rehab assignment and served in that capacity for the Stone Crabs on Saturday. He finished 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and a groundout, before Cody Rogers pinch-hit for him to open the eleventh.

The Hammerheads pushed across their lone run off Mateo in the second inning. Canha was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame, and a single, bunt, and sacrifice fly brought him around to make it 1-0 Jupiter.

Jupiter starting pitcher Adam Conley held Charlotte off the scoreboard through the front five innings. The Stone Crabs managed to put the leadoff man aboard in three of the first four frames, but found themselves down a run heading to the sixth.

Todd Glaesmann quickly changed that.

With one down, Glaesmann crushed a line-drive shot well over the wall in left for his third home run in a Stone Crabs uniform, and his 16th combined between Charlotte and Bowling Green.

Glaesmann finished the ballgame 2-for-4 with a walk. Half of his 16 hits in a Stone Crabs uniform have gone for extra bases.

T.J. Geith entered the game in relief of Mateo to open the ninth. The lefty allowed a one-out single in his first inning of work, but set down the final six batters he faced in order. Stone Crabs pitching held Jupiter off the board for eleven consecutive innings.

Chirs Andujar (1-0) earned the win, permitting a one-out single but holding the Hammerheads scoreless in the top half of the thirteenth.

The series will conclude with a doubleheader on Sunday at Charlotte Sports Park. Albert Suarez (5-8) will take the hill in game one opposed by Jose Fernandez (4-1) for Jupiter. The first game will get underway at 4:05 p.m., with the series finale scheduled to take place approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.

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Florida State League Stories from August 11, 2012


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