FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Stone Crabs Drop Heartbreaking Epic

Published on August 25, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - With a 7-3 lead in the seventh inning, the Charlotte Stone Crabs were right on the edge of first place.

From there, the night fell straight off a cliff.

The St. Lucie Mets scored four in the seventh to tie and four in the eighth to win, shocking the Stone Crabs with a stunning 11-7 defeat on Wednesday night at Tradition Field.

Both Jupiter and Fort Myers won, turning what looked like a dream night for Charlotte into a nightmare. The Stone Crabs now sit two games back of the Mets and Hammerheads for first, and a game back of the Miracle for third. Bradenton is only one game behind Charlotte in fifth.

The Stone Crabs were off on the right foot early. Joe McCarthy reached on an error to start the second, and Cristian Toribio followed with a base hit. Jace Conrad advanced the runners, and Mac James knocked both in with a double to make it 2-0 Crabs. A Thomas Milone single later in the inning scored James.

In a recurring theme on the night, the Mets rebounded quickly. Jhoan Urena and Patrick Biondi drew back-to-back walks to open the third, and after a lineout, Mike Franco walked David Thompson to load the bases. Kevin Taylor hit a two-run single to cut the Charlotte lead down to 3-2, and after Steve Ascher replaced Franco, John Mora hit an RBI groundout to score Thompson and tie the game.

Charlotte grabbed the lead back in the fifth on a throwing error from Luis Guillorme, then went for the jugular in the sixth. Riley Unroe and Milone singled with one out of the seventh, and Unroe scored on the latter play thanks to a throwing error from Urena. Andrew Velazquez singled to put runners on second and third, and Nick Ciuffo lined the Crabs' fourth straight base hit to score Milone and make it 6-3. A Grant Kay sac fly tacked on the seventh run.

Unfortunately, what looked like a dominant win that would secure a first place tie was not meant to be. Ian Gibaut was roughed up for the second straight outing, as Urena homered to start the seventh and make it 7-4. Biondi hit a bunt single and Kevin Kaczmarski singled to right, putting two on with no outs. A Thompson double scored both runs to cut the lead to 7-6, and Thompson went in to score on a throwing error, tying the game on a quasi-inside the park homer.

Diego Castillo (2-1) entered for the eighth and met more trouble. Vinny Siena singled with one out, and Urena doubled to put runners on second and third. The pesky Biondi had the game-winning hit, a single that brought both men home and made it 9-7 Mets. It was the first Met lead of the ballgame.

Thompson homered two batters later to put the game out of reach. The Crabs did not have a baserunner in the eighth or ninth, as Corey Taylor (3-5) pitched two perfect innings to pick up the win.

The series concludes on Thursday night at Tradition Field, as Stone Crabs RHP Chris Pike (4-10, 4.04) battles Mets RHP Chris Flexen (8-9, 3.85). First pitch is set for 6:30. 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 August 25, 2016


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