PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (June 8, 2018) - Kevin Padlo delivered the Stone Crabs' first grand slam of the season, but the Clearwater Threshers took the series opener 8-5 at Charlotte Sports Park. Padlo's blast came in the ninth with the Stone Crabs (26-31) trailing 8-1. It was the team's first
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (June 8, 2018) - Kevin Padlo delivered the Stone Crabs' first grand slam of the season, but the Clearwater Threshers took the series opener 8-5 at Charlotte Sports Park.
Padlo's blast came in the ninth with the Stone Crabs (26-31) trailing 8-1. It was the team's first grand slam of the season. Charlotte has now lost eight of its last ten games.
Robbie Tenerowicz and Jesús Sánchez both picked up multiple hits for Charlotte in defeat. Sanchez drove in the Stone Crabs' first run with an RBI single to right in the seventh.
The Threshers (27-32) got the scoring going right away against Charlotte starter Willy Ortiz (4-1). After Adam Haseley singled and stole second, Henri Lartigue drew a walk to put runners at first and second. Jose Pujols followed with a single to right to plate Haseley and make it 1-0 Clearwater. After a walk, Luke Williams singled to center to push the score to 3-0.
After scoring on a Gabriel Lino double in the fourth to make it 4-0, Raul Rivas singled to start the top of the sixth. After a hit by pitch and a walk loaded the bases, a throwing error allowed Rivas to score and make it 5-0. With a new pitcher in the game, Haseley and Lartigue both came through with run-scoring hits to make the score 8-0.
Ortiz lasted four innings for the Stone Crabs, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out six.
Clearwater starter Nick Fanti (2-2) retired the first nine batters he saw, not allowing a hit until the fourth inning. He finished with one run allowed over six-plus frames, striking out seven and walking one.
The Stone Crabs will look to even the series Saturday at 6:35 p.m. Kenny Rosenberg (4-1, 4.71) makes the start for Charlotte against McKenzie Mills (0-2, 4.67) of Clearwater. Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.
