FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Rain Gives 'Crabs 2-0 Win in Five

Published on June 22, 2015 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (June 22, 2015) - Following an All-Star weekend that featured standout performances from several Stone Crabs, the team that limped into the break caught one on Monday night with the Marauders in town. Having lost three straight for just the second time all season, it seemed like it could be a slow night for the two best offenses in the Florida State League. But the Stone Crabs caught lightning in a bottle and two fourth inning runs came just in time before rain poured down on Charlotte Sports Park midway through the fifth inning. After a 33 minute delay, umpires John Mang and Matt Winter deemed the field unplayable and the Stone Crabs snapped a three-game losing streak to get back to 20 games over .500 at 44-24.

The starting pitching matchup between righthanders Taylor Guerrieri and Tyler Eppler was enticing for the first three innings. Guerrieri, pitching for the first time in eight days, threw 21 pitches in a busy first that only featured a one out walk to All-Star shortstop JaCoby Jones. However, he'd bounce back with a 1-2-3 second inning as the Marauders went down on just eight pitches.

Eppler looked even sharper his first time through the Stone Crabs lineup, going three up and three down for the first three innings. He struck out Tim Beckham swinging in the first after the 2008 number one overall pick was added to the roster for a rehab assignment to test out his strained right hamstring. In the second, Eppler retired an even bigger name when Grady Sizemore flied out to deep right center in his first game with the Rays organization on his minor league deal.

With one out in the home third, Armando Araiza nearly came up with the 'Crabs first hit when he sent a deep drive to the wall in left. But Marauders left fielder Barrett Barnes made a leaping catch right near the short fence in the corner, denying Araiza of a possible home run. Guerrieri's only hit allowed during his four innings came in the top half when Wyatt Mathisen bounced a one out single into center. For the second straight frame, the Marauders were set down on just eight pitches.

Beckham got it started in the fourth when he lined a one out single into center that glanced off Austin Meadows for an error. On a 2-2 pitch, Willy Adames launched a his fourth triple to the right center field wall for his 28th run batted in and a 1-0 lead. Next up was Jake Bauers, and the MVP of the All-Star Game pulled a single off diving first baseman Edwin Espinal into right to make it 2-0. Kyle McKenzie (5-2) pitched the fifth for the Stone Crabs, and caught a line drive off the bat of Meadows to retire the side after the Marauders put the tying runs on base with a single and a throwing error from third baseman Pat Blair. With Charlotte ready for their at bats in the fifth, the umpires called for the tarp right before a brief but nasty storm hit the area, and the game was called after just an hour and seven minutes, plus the 33 minute delay.

The series continues on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM when Buddy Borden (7-3, 2.25 ERA) takes the hill against Jayson Aquino (3-7, 3.41 ERA). Every Tuesday receive $2 tickets, $2 parking, $2 hot dogs, and $2 fountain sodas. Fans can also enjoy $2 draft beers until the end of the 5th inning! Tickets are still available, so visit www.stonecrabsbaseball.com or call 941-206-HITS (4487) to order your tickets now!

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Florida State League Stories from June 22, 2015


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