Eight-run first propels Stone Crabs to 15-4 win

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (July 16, 2018) - The Stone Crabs rallied for eight runs in the first inning to blow out the Tampa Tarpons 15-4 Monday at Charlotte Sports Park.
In a scoreless game in the bottom of the first, Stone Crabs (48-44, 14-11) shortstop Lucius Fox reached on an error before Josh Lowe singled him to third. Robbie Tenerowicz then reached on a fielder's choice, before a throwing error brought home Fox to make it 1-0. With two on, Tristan Gray lined a double down the left field line to plate a pair and extend the lead to 3-0.
After a walk, Joey Roach singled to left to score Gray and make it 5-0. After a walk and a hit by pitch, Roach came around to score on a wild pitch. Miles Mastrobuoni and Fox followed by driving in runs with groundouts to bring the tally to 8-0.
The Stone Crabs' eight-run first was tied for their largest run-scoring inning of the season.
Reece Karalus went four scoreless innings in his first career start, allowing three hits while striking out two. Spencer Jones (4-2) turned in three shutout frames to get the win, surrendering just one hit while fanning two.
After adding a run on a Jermaine Palacios groundout in the third, Charlotte loaded the bases with nobody out in the fourth. Roach followed with a base hit to right to score two and make it 11-0 Stone Crabs. Rene Pinto then delivered a ground rule double to right to extend the lead to 12-0. Two batters later, Mastrobuoni stroked a two-run double down the left field line to cap the inning at 15-0.
Tampa added four runs in the ninth to complete the scoring at 15-4.  
The Stone Crabs will turn to Willy Ortiz (7-2, 3.51) at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday. Garrett Whitlock (3-2, 1.90) will make the start for the Tarpons. Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.