Joey Mac Mashes Clutch Home Run
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - Sometimes, one hit is all you need to win.
Of course, it helps if that hit is a tie-breaking home run.
Joe McCarthy launched a blast over right-center to snap a 1-1 tie in the seventh, and the Stone Crabs rode that one hit and dominant pitching to a 2-1 victory over the Fort Myers Miracle on Sunday afternoon at Charlotte Sports Park.
McCarthy came up as the Stone Crabs were being no-hit by debuting Fort Myers starter Dereck Rodriguez with one out in the seventh. After going up in the count 2-1, McCarthy drilled a belt-high fastball to deep right-center, just escaping the wall to the left of the 384 sign. It was McCarthy's third home run of the season and second at home.
Before then, the Stone Crabs had to be creative to tie the game against Rodriguez (0-1). Nick Ciuffo led off the fifth with a walk, went to second on a bunt from Nathan Lukes, and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Jace Conrad hit a fly ball to left that was deep enough to bring Ciuffo home and tie the game.
It was a great day overall for Ciuffo, who also threw out two runners on the basepaths. Ciuffo has thrown out 21 of 33 attempted basestealers this season.
Greg Harris was fantastic on the mound for Charlotte, finishing seven innings for the first time since July 3rd. Harris (8-6) allowed just one run on three hits, his lone blemish coming on a Chris Paul home run in the fourth. Harris fanned seven in the win. Steve Ascher threw two scoreless innings out of the pen for his first save of the season.
Charlotte hits the road for eight games next, starting on Monday night in Jupiter. RHP Chris Pike (3-9, 4.18) goes for the Stone Crabs against Hammerheads RHP Jeff Brigham (4-5, 3.80). First pitch is set for 6:30.