FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Stone Crabs Halt Losing Streak with 7-1 Win

Published on April 22, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


BRADENTON, FL (April 22, 2014) - For the first time in 2014, the Stone Crabs played a complete game from start to finish in which they controlled the momentum and tempo. If seven runs on 13 hits wasn't enough, Reinaldo Lopez delivered the best start of the year with a season-high nine strikeouts in six and a third innings. The win gave Jared Sandberg and company just their second road victory of the year, while putting an end to a three game losing streak and halting Bradenton's winning streak at seven straight.

Following Monday night's 2-1 loss in which the offense was limited to just four hits, the Stone Crabs had been on the losing end in their first three visits to McKechnie Field. Tuesday night's starter John Kuchno gave them their first loss back on April 5 in their first meeting, dealing five hitless innings in a one-sided 4-2 win. After a perfect first that featured a pair of strikeouts, the righthander allowed a leadoff double to Patrick Leonard in the second. Marty Gantt's groundout moved him to third, and in one of the early turning points of the night, Justin O'Conner worked a walk after fouling off several 3-2 pitches. Maxx Tissenbaum and Josh Sale continued to come through with runners on base, and fired off a pair of RBI singles for a 2-0 lead.

The lead held until the fifth while Lopez kept the Marauders off the scoreboard through the first four, aided by a pair of double play balls in the first and third. Facing Bradenton's Ryan Hafner, Tommy Coyle walked to begin the inning before stealing second base. Leonardo Reginatto delivered his second RBI in as many nights with a single to make it 3-0. Two batters later, Leonard lanched his team-leading fourth home run of the year off the light stanchion in left field for a 5-0 lead. Gantt singled and stole second before moving to third on a wild pitch, which allowed O'Conner to bounce an RBI double down the left field line to make it 6-0.

Perhaps the outburst gave Lopez a little confidence when he returned for the fifth, because he got three quick outs before striking out the side in the sixth. Looking to go seven, he opened the inning by walking designated hitter Jin-De Jhang on five pitches before allowing a single to third baseman Eric Wood. Another strikeout of catcher Jacob Stallings gave Lopez nine for the game, but he soon departed after surrendering an RBI single to center fielder Raul Fortunato to make it 6-1. Kevin Brandt was the first man out of the Stone Crabs bullpen, and he started a memorable night by striking out Ashley Ponce and tricky leadoff hitter Adam Frazier to end the inning. Upon returning for the eighth, the lefty struck out the side before Nick Sawyer worked a scoreless ninth despite loading the bases with two outs.

NOTES: Lopez (9), Brandt (5), and Sawyer (1) combined for a new single-game high in strikeoutsthe previous mark was eight (April 16 vs. Fort Myers and April 12 vs. Palm Beach)Lopez (2-1) had eight strikeouts in his first three starts combinedthe last time he fanned nine was August 7, 2013 with the Bowling Green Hot Rods when he took a no decision in 6.1 IP against the Great Lakes LoonsBrandt struck out all five batters he facedthe Marauders had the side strike out from innings six through eightLeonard now has a team-leading seven-game hitting streak after finishing 2-for-4 with three runs scoredO'Conner wore the number 17 for the first time all season and had his first three hit game with two runs batted in and a run scoredGantt had his fifth two-hit game while Tyler Goeddel picked up his fourth after finishing 2-for-4.

The series returns to Charlotte Sports Park for game three on Wednesday night at 6:30 PM. Lefthander Bruedlin Suero (1-1, 7.11 ERA) will look for his second straight win against Bradenton southpaw Orlando Castro (2-0, 2.12 ERA). It's Weenie Wednesday, so fans can enjoy a Kayem hot dog for just $1 all game long. You can follow all the action by listening to the game on www.stonecrabsbaseball.com via TuneIn Radio, or tuning into 91.7 FM-WVIJ in the Port Charlotte area. The Stone Crabs Pregame Show starts at 6:10 PM on the Stone Crabs Radio Network!

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Florida State League Stories from April 22, 2014


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