FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Walter Dazzles, Downs Stone Crabs

Published on August 3, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - With their two new acquisitions resting on the bench, the Stone Crabs' offense didn't have much to offer on Wednesday night.

Palm Beach right-hander Johnny Walter threw seven sparkling innings, and the Cardinals handled the Stone Crabs 6-1 at Charlotte Sports Park. Charlotte fell to 2-6 on $2 Wednesdays.

Nathan Lukes and Jonah Heim, prospects acquired in deadline deals for Brandon Guyer and Steve Pearce, respectively, were active but did not play in their first nights as Stone Crabs.

Walter (2-3) got better as the night went on. He ran into trouble in the second and third, leaving four runners across the two frames, but escaped runners on the corners with one out in the former and picked up a key double play in the latter. Walter settled in to retire 13 of the final 14 men that faced him.

Chris Pike did not fare so well for the Stone Crabs. Charlotte's rotation rock walked three batters around a sac bunt in the second, struck out Steve Bean to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and promptly allowed a two-run ground rule double to nine-hitter Andrew Sohn to put Palm Beach ahead 2-0. Vaughn Bryan followed with a bunt single up the first base line to score Dylan Tice, and Pike threw the ball away attempting to nab Bryan at first, enabling Sohn to score the fourth run.

Pike (3-9) allowed another run on a Tice base hit in the top of the third. He walked at least one batter in each of his final four innings, exiting the game with a career-high six walks in just five innings pitched. Jeff Howell allowed another run on a Sohn single in the sixth.

The Stone Crabs got off the schneid against teenage reliever Junior Fernandez in the eighth. Thomas Milone singled to lead off the inning and Jake Cronenworth drew a walk to set up first and second with no outs. Fernandez popped up Jace Conrad and struck out Joe McCarthy, but the red hot Grant Kay came through with an RBI double to the left field corner to score Milone and break up the shutout. Kay finished the night 3-for-4.

Charlotte and Palm Beach play the second of their two-game set on Thursday night at Charlotte Sports Park. The Stone Crabs send out Rays star Alex Cobb (0-2, 9.82) for his fourth rehab outing of the summer against Cardinals ace Matt Pearce (8-8, 2.42). First pitch is set for 6:35. It's Thirsty Thursday, which means $2 domestic drafts and $3 domestic bottles! For tickets, call 941-206-HITS, head to the FCB Box Office, or visit stonecrabsbaseball.com. 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 3, 2016


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