KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 22, 2017) - The Florida Fire Frogs rallied against Alex Palsha and the St. Lucie Mets in the 15th inning with two runs to send a record-setting crowd of 5,515 home happy with a 5-4 walk-off on "Star Wars Night," presented by 103.1 The Wolf and Florida
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 22, 2017) - The Florida Fire Frogs rallied against Alex Palsha and the St. Lucie Mets in the 15th inning with two runs to send a record-setting crowd of 5,515 home happy with a 5-4 walk-off on "Star Wars Night," presented by 103.1 The Wolf and Florida Hospital at Osceola County Stadium on Saturday night. The victory is the third walk-off win for the Fire Frogs during their inaugural campaign, and improved their extra-inning record to 4-5.
The final frame started with Palsha (2-2) hitting Brett Cumberland (4x6, R, 2B, 2 RBI) on a 1-2 pitch to put the tying run on base in a 4-3 ballgame. Matt Gonzalez (2x4, R, 2B) executed a perfect hit-and-run to send Cumberland to third, and reached second on an errant throw from right by Enmanuel Zabala. Carlos Castro (2x5, 2B, BB) was hit by a pitch to load the bases with nobody out.
Ray-Patrick Didder (2x5, RBI) followed by being the third hit batter of the innings, forcing in Cumberland from third to tie the game at four. With a five-man infield, Anfernee Seymour (0x7, RBI) sent a 2-0 pitch in the air to left that was snagged by John Mora in left. Gonzalez broke for third on the tag and was beat home by the throw from Mora, but Patrick Mazeika's tag was not in time with Gonzalez sliding wide of the catcher's glove for the walk-off victory.
Cumberland raised his batting average by 39 points with a four-hit night, boosting his number from .191 to .230. Alay Lago (3x7, R, 2B, 3B) and Castro extended their hitting streaks to seven games in the extra-inning marathon.
Josh Graham (2-3) earned the win for Florida (11-15, 36-55) after allowing a run in the top of the 15th on a bloop single to right off the bat of Mazeika, plating Wuilmer Becerra for the go-ahead run for St. Lucie (11-18, 44-53). The product of Oregon was in line for his third consecutive losing decision, but instead finished with his first win since April 7.
The Fire Frogs' pitching staff tied a season-high with 20 strikeouts on the night, matching the total output from and 11-inning contest against the Clearwater Threshers on April 22 at Spectrum Field.
Ricardo Sánchez started and set a new season-high with nine punchouts on the night. Florida's starters have struck out 20 batters over 13 innings through the first two games of the four-game series. Joes Rogers was the next man up with three strikeouts. Sean McLaughlin set down two on strikes, and Brandon White retired three men with the strikeout across three innings of relief. Graham struck out two in the 15th inning.
Florida will look to take the series in game three of four-game set on Sunday at Osceola County Stadium. RHP Enderson Franco (3-4, 4.94) toes the rubber for the Fire Frogs, while the Mets will send out RHP Joseph Shaw (6-5, 5.20). First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m., with coverage starting at 4:50 p.m. on the Florida Fire Frogs Broadcasting Network.
Sunday's contest is presented by the folks over at Napleton Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram. Game three is "Faith and Family Night" at the ballpark, where the Fire Frogs will have a faith-based post-game testimonial. Florida will have Osceola County Stadium covered in decorations and holiday cheer! The Fire Frogs will also hold a back-to-school drive, where fans can donate school supplies next to Guest Services.
Sunday's are Family Fun Day at the home of the Florida Fire Frogs, where fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs at Osceola County Stadium. Kids 12-and-under can run the bases at the conclusion of the game.
About the Florida Fire Frogs
The Florida Fire Frogs are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and compete in the Florida State League. The Fire Frogs play their home games at Osceola County Stadium, located at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fla. For more information, please visit www.FloridaFireFrogs.com, and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.
