McClanahan, Franco homer sinks St. Lucie 2-1

PORT SAINT LUCIE, Fla. (July 16, 2019) - Shane McClanahan spun another gem and Wander Franco delivered a game-winning home run in the Charlotte Stone Crabs' 2-1 victory over the St. Lucie Mets at First Data Field Tuesday.
McClanahan (5-0) turned in the second longest outing of his career, allowing just one run on four hits over 6.2 innings. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. After surrendering hits to three of the first four batters he faced, McClanahan retired 18 consecutive hitters.
The Stone Crabs (56-36, 21-5) wasted little time getting on the board against St. Lucie (50-44, 18-10) starter Thomas Szapucki (0-1). With one out, Franco ripped a single to right. After he stole second, Ronaldo Hernandez pulled a line drive into left to score Franco and give Charlotte a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the first, Mets designated hitter Blake Tiberi lifted a double to center. Two batters later, Carlos Cortes singled to chase home Tiberi and tie the game at one.
With the contest still tied in the top of the fifth, Franco cranked a solo shot over the left center field fence against Szapucki to give Charlotte a 2-1 lead.
That swing proved to be the difference, as Stone Crabs relievers Mikey York and Chandler Raiden combined to finish off the win. Raiden recorded the final five outs to earn his eighth save.
The Stone Crabs will look to claim the series at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.  Tommy Romero (8-2, 1.82) makes the start for Charlotte, against Luc Rennie (5-4, 4.57) of St. Lucie. Coverage begins at 10:15 a.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.