PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (July 18, 2018) - The Tampa Tarpons rallied for seven runs in the first two innings Wednesday, cruising to a 10-3 win over the Stone Crabs at Charlotte Sports Park. Stone Crabs (49-45, 15-12) starter Riley O'Brien (2-2) lasted only 1.2 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits while striking
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (July 18, 2018) - The Tampa Tarpons rallied for seven runs in the first two innings Wednesday, cruising to a 10-3 win over the Stone Crabs at Charlotte Sports Park.
Stone Crabs (49-45, 15-12) starter Riley O'Brien (2-2) lasted only 1.2 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits while striking out two.
After two Tampa (48-48, 13-13) singles put runners at first and second, Ben Ruta cranked a double to center to plate both runners and make it 2-0. Rashad Crawford followed by dropping an RBI double into center to extend the Tarpons lead to 3-0. The next batter was Angel Aguilar, who doubled to deep right to chase home Crawford and make it 4-0. Ricky Surum then singled to cap the inning at 5-0.
In the top of the second, Brandon Wagner ripped his 19th home run of the season to score two runs and give Tampa a 7-0 lead.
The Stone Crabs would cut the deficit to 7-3 in the sixth. Jesús Sánchez led off the inning with a single to left. Then Jermaine Palacios walked to put runners at first and second with no outs. The next batter was two-way standout Brendan McKay, who doubled to right which scored Sanchez and put two runners in scoring position. Miles Mastrobuoni followed by smacking a single to right to score both runners and make it 7-3.
Charlotte reliever Jose Disla went 4.1 innings of scoreless baseball. He only gave up one hit while striking out four Tampa hitters. It was Disla's longest outing since August 21, 2016.
The Stone Crabs will open a three-game series with the Jupiter Hammerheads on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. Blake Bivens (5-2) will make the start for Charlotte. Coverage starts at 6:20 pm on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.
