
Stone Crabs Game Notes - Mon, Apr 22 vs Tampa
April 22, 2019 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release
Winners in three of their last four, the Charlotte Stone Crabs begin a three-game series with the Tampa Tarpons at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Charlotte Sports Park. RHP Brian Shaffer makes his first start of the year, against RHP Frank German of the Tarpons.
Coverage of tonight's game begins at 6:15 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.
STONE CRABS CLAIM RUBBER GAME SATURDAY
The Stone Crabs' bats broke out this weekend, capping a series win in Fort Myers with an early barrage Saturday. Charlotte scored seven runs in the first two innings to claim the rubber game 7-2. Ronaldo Hernandez drove in four runs, the most RBI in a single game by a Stone Crabs player this season.
BUMPY ROAD BEHIND US
The Stone Crabs began the season by playing the four best teams in the Florida State League for 17 straight games. All four of those teams boast winning percentages of .588 or higher. On Monday, they begin a stretch of 13 straight games against losing clubs. They'll play six of their next 10 games against the Tampa Tarpons of the New York Yankees organization.
STARTING STRONG
The Stone Crabs' starting pitching was outstanding during their series win in Fort Myers. The trio of Paul Campbell, Riley O'Brien and Tommy Romero combined to go:
2-0, 18.2 IP, 13 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 14 K
(0.48 ERA, 0.91 WHIP)
BABY CRAB RALLIES
One reason for the Stone Crabs' early struggles has been their inability to hit in the clutch and string rallies together. Before this weekend, Charlotte had not scored more than three runs in any inning this season. They were hitting .184/.264/.237 with runners on base and .167/.238/.222 with runners in scoring position.However, they posted back-to-back rallies of three runs or more on Saturday, plating a season-best four runs in the top of the second.
WALKS RUNNING WILD
The Stone Crabs' pitching staff has shown flashes of brilliance this year, but walks have limited them from winning more games. Charlotte pitching walked a season-high nine batters Sunday and has walked 75 through the first 17 games, the most in the league.
PROSPECT PUNCH
Other than Vidal Brujan, the Stone Crabs' position player prospects were struggling with the bat early in the season. Prior to Tuesday's game, the other four active top-30 prospects went a combined 18-for-139 with 52 strikeouts (.129 AVG, 34% K-rate)
Ronaldo Hernandez: 5-39 (.114 AVG), 9 K
Moises Gomez: 6-45 (.125 AVG), 18 K
Tyler Frank: 6-41 (.146 AVG), 8 K
Garrett Whitley: 3-28 (.107 AVG), 19 K
But, over the last 5 games, they are 17-for-62 with 8 walks, 4 extra-base hits and 12 RBI:
(.274 AVG, 21% K-rate)
Hernandez: 4-16 (.250), HR, 6 RBI, BB, 1 K
Gomez: 5-15 (.333), HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 5 K
Frank: 2-14 (.143), 3 BB, 2 RBI, 4 K
Whitley: 6-17 (.353), 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 6 K
STREAKS TO FORGET
The Stone Crabs' win Wednesday snapped a seven-game losing streak, tied for their longest since they lost 11 in a row in early August of 2015. The last time they lost seven straight was to begin the 2017 season.
LEAGUE RANKS
Stone Crabs second baseman Vidal Brujan leads the Florida State League in stolen bases (8) and Riley O'Brien is tied for second in strikeouts (23).
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