PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 9, 2018) - Brendan McKay's walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the tenth helped the Stone Crabs stun the Dunedin Blue Jays 3-2 Thursday at Charlotte Sports Park.In the bottom of tenth inning with the game still tied at two, Stone Crabs (62-50, 28-17) right fielder
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 9, 2018) - Brendan McKay's walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the tenth helped the Stone Crabs stun the Dunedin Blue Jays 3-2 Thursday at Charlotte Sports Park.
In the bottom of tenth inning with the game still tied at two, Stone Crabs (62-50, 28-17) right fielder Eleardo Cabrera was placed on second. Vidal Brujan advanced Cabrera to third with a sacrifice bunt. Brendan McKay then popped up a short fly ball down the left field line. Blue Jays (60-55, 29-18) left fielder Brock Lundquist made a sliding catch, popping up to make the throw to the plate. Cabrera slid in ahead of the tag to send the Stone Crabs home winners.
Kenny Rosenberg started the game strong for Charlotte, pitching five innings while giving up one run on four hits and striking out two. MLB rehabber Chaz Roe was the next man in, striking out three batters on 18 pitches in a perfect inning. Chandler Raiden then worked the next two innings, giving up a run on three hits. Trevor Charpie (2-0) earned the win by tossing two scoreless innings and striking out three Blue Jays.
The Jays got the scoring going first when Dunedin second baseman Ivan Castillo doubled to left with one out in the top of the second. Two batters later, Kacy Clemens singled to center to give the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the frame, Stone Crabs third baseman Kevin Padlo pulled a double to the left field corner to start the inning. The next batter was Jake Fraley , who pulled a ground ball to second base. Castillo's throw to the pitcher was behind him, causing it to roll behind home plate and chase Padlo home to tie the game at one.
With the Stone Crabs trailing 2-1 in the eighth, Cabrera was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Brujan followed by singling to short, advancing Cabrera to second. Two batters later, Robbie Tenerowicz walked to load the bases. Tristian Gray then flied out to left to score Cabrera from third and tie the game at two.
The Stone Crabs will look to win their fifth straight game by sending veteran right-hander José Mujica (1-0, 4.22) to the mound to face Dunedin righty Maverik Buffo (3-2, 4.76). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:20 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network
