Wentz Continues Impressive Start, Florida Falls to Mets

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (April 19, 2018) - The Florida Fire Frogs' attempt at their first series sweep of 2018 fell short with a 3-2 loss to the St. Lucie Mets on Thursday night at Osceola County Stadium.

Joey Wentz continued his impressive start to the season with Florida (5-9), as the 20-year-old southpaw tied season-highs with five innings pitched and six strikeouts. Through three starts this season, the 6-foot-5 hurler has allowed just one run over 14 innings (0.64 ERA), while giving up eight hits, walking two, and striking out 15.
Justin Ellison (1x3, R, HR, RBI) got the home team on the board with a solo shot in the third against Gabriel Llanas (2-1) for the 1-0 advantage. The blast was Ellison's third-career home run with the Fire Frogs after posting two long balls with the club in 2017.
Florida maintained the one run advantage heading into the sixth, but St. Lucie (7-6) struck for three runs against the Fire Frogs' bullpen to gain the lead.
Justin Kelly (1-1) started the inning by walking Gene Cone and Jacob Zanon, leading to Andrés Giménez's RBI double down the line in left to tie the game at one apiece. Kelly then walked Luis Carpio to load the bases, ending the night for the reliever after four batters.
Kelvin Vasquez took over and retired Brandon Brosher on a popout to Lucas Herbert at home, but allowed the go-ahead run to score on a sacrifice fly to center off the bat of Ian Strom. Cristian Pache's throw to the plate went up the first base line, and Herbert's throw to third skipped off the glove of Jordan Rodgers , allowing Gimenez to score the second run on the play.
The Fire Frogs crept within a run in the eighth with Jared James (1x3, R, 3B, BB) starting the rally with a one-out triple to the gap in right-center. Herbert followed with a sacrifice fly to center to make the score 3-2.
Florida threatened again in the eighth against Matt Blackham with Alejandro Salazar (1x3) and Omar Obregon (2x4) reaching second and third with two outs, but Rodgers (0x3) flew out to right to end the threat.
James led off the ninth with a free pass against Blackham, forcing Chad Kreuter to go to Matt Pobereyko (SV, 1) for the save.
The new reliever struck out Herbert, Braxton Davidson (1x4, 2B) and Ray-Patrick Didder (0x4) to close out the game.
Florida welcomes in the Lakeland Flying Tigers for game one of a three-game series at Osceola County Stadium beginning Friday night. RHP Ian Anderson (0-0, 3.12) takes the hill for the Fire Frogs against the Flying Tigers RHP Anthony Castro (1-0, 0.00). First pitch is set for 6:31 p.m.
Friday is Bark in the Park, sponsored by Just 4 Dogs. Fans can bring their canine friend to Osceola County Stadium with absolutely no charge! The first 50 dogs will receive a water bowl courtesy of Just 4 Dogs and the Florida Fire Frogs.
Superhero Night is Saturday, April 21, where fans can join the Fire Frogs as they throw on their capes and cowls to protect Kissimmee from the invading Flying Tigers on Saturday night. Specialty jerseys will be auctioned off in the team store during the game.
For ticket and promotional information, please visit floridafirefrogs.com.
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.
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