FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Sale the Hero in 'Crabs' 4-3 Win

Published on August 9, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - These were the moments that Josh Sale missed. The former first round pick has had his ups and downs in his first season in the Florida State League, but lately he's been as much a part of the Stone Crabs success as anyone. Carrying a four-game hitting streak into Saturday night's game against the Hammerheads, the powerful outfielder had five runs batted in during that stretch. In the seventh, his two-run single tied the score at three, blowing the roof off Charlotte Sports Park to the tune of 3,583 cheers. Then in the ninth, Sale was mobbed after driving in Jake DePew with the game-winning double for a perfect start to this six-game homestand.

Austin Pruitt carried a six start winning streak into the game against the Hammerheads Jake Esch, who has enjoyed some of his finest performances this season against the `Crabs. Pruitt, perfect since July 5, watched a scoreless tie slip away in the third once leadoff batter Justin Bohn knocked a one out double. Ryan Goetz then lifted a high drive off the warning track in right center that bounced up for a grounds rule double and an RBI for a 1-0 lead.

The headline to tonight's story would have been completely different because for most of the evening Esch was the main attraction. After not allowing any baserunners the first time through the order, the St. Paul, Minnesota native watched Tim Beckham reach on an error at third by Avery Romero to open the fourth. A 2-2 fastball plunked Johnny Field to bring up Patrick Leonard as the tying run. Jupiter took a 3-0 lead thanks to a run scoring triple from Jesus Solorzano and an RBI groundout off the bat of Cody Keefer in the top of the fourth.

Leonard took some of the momentum away once he bounced into a double play at third. Maxx Tissenbaum then rolled a grounder up the middle, but Noah Perio backhanded it and threw back to first for the final out. Esch then refocused on history, and carried his no-hitter into the bottom of the seventh by retiring the next eight hitters in order.

Tissenbaum broke up the no-no with a two out single on a 2-2 pitch. Marty Gantt then extended his hitting streak to seven straight with another single before DePew's base hit into center scored a run to make it 3-1. Sale soon fell behind 1-2, but the next pitch from Esch was lofted into right center to tie the score at three apiece, and reawaken the crowd.

Pruitt took a no decision with six innings, striking out seven Hammerheads along the way, and watched Zach Cooper fire two scoreless innings. The former Central Michigan Chippewa put two runners on in the eighth, but wound up striking out the side when he fanned Solorzano for the final out. Colton Reavis (1-1) retired the Hammerheads in order in the top of the ninth, and set the stage for Sale's heroics. DePew made it all possible by drawing a two out walk on a 3-2 pitch from Brad Mincey (0-4), who had retired the first five hitters he faced in order. Sale sliced a 1-0 offering to the left center field wall, and DePew raced all the way around from first to give the Stone Crabs their 15th comeback victory.

The series continues Sunday night at 5:00 PM when Blake Snell (4-5, 4.14 ERA) pitches for the first time since his rain-shortened no-hitter against the Cubs. The Charlotte Sun presents another Family Fun Sunday, where fans will be able to receive autographs from Stone Crabs players upon entrance, play catch on the field, and kids can run the bases post-game! There are still great seats 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 August 9, 2014


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