PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (July 2, 2019) - Michael Smith and Wander Franco both lined two doubles Tuesday, leading the Charlotte Stone Crabs to a 9-3 win over the St. Lucie Mets at Charlotte Sports Park. The Stone Crabs (45-35, 10-4) matched as season high in doubles, notching six two-baggers in
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (July 2, 2019) - Michael Smith and Wander Franco both lined two doubles Tuesday, leading the Charlotte Stone Crabs to a 9-3 win over the St. Lucie Mets at Charlotte Sports Park.
The Stone Crabs (45-35, 10-4) matched as season high in doubles, notching six two-baggers in the win. The victory kept Charlotte in first place, now 1.5 games ahead of the St. Lucie (41-40, 9-6).
Stone Crabs left-hander Shane McClanahan (3-0) struck out six batters over 4.2 innings to earn the win, allowing one unearned run on three hits.
The Mets jumped out to an early lead Tuesday, plating a pair on a two-run double from Jacob Zanon in the top of the third.
With Charlotte down 2-0, Garrett Whitley pulled a leadoff double down the left field line. After Smith singled him to third, Zach Rutherford walked to load the bases. After a wild pitch made it 1-0, Wander Franco torched a two-run double off the wall in right center to give the Stone Crabs their first lead at 3-2. The next hitter was Ronaldo Hernandez , who dropped an RBI single into left to cap the rally at 4-2.
After adding a run on a Thomas Milone single in the fourth, Jim Haley led off the fifth with a walk. After a Kaleo Johnson single, Smith drove a double to the left field gap, plating both runners to make it 7-2.
St. Lucie added a run in the sixth before Charlotte tallied two more on doubles from Smith and Milone in the seventh.
The Stone Crabs will go for a series win Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. Stephen Woods Jr. (5-1, 2.32) is scheduled to pitch for Charlotte. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. for a 5:30 p.m. candy drop. A post-game fireworks show will follow the game. Coverage starts at 6:15 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.
