PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (May 23, 2017) - Charlotte Stone Crabs righty Noel Rodriguez struck out a season-high four in 2.1 innings of scoreless relief Tuesday, but the Daytona Tortugas defeated the Stone Crabs 7-2 at Charlotte Sports Park.Rodriguez's 2.1 innings was also a season high.The Stone Crabs (19-24) have now
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (May 23, 2017) - Charlotte Stone Crabs righty Noel Rodriguez struck out a season-high four in 2.1 innings of scoreless relief Tuesday, but the Daytona Tortugas defeated the Stone Crabs 7-2 at Charlotte Sports Park.
Rodriguez's 2.1 innings was also a season high.
The Stone Crabs (19-24) have now lost five games in a row and seven of their last eight.
With Tommy Hunter making a rehab start for the Stone Crabs, Daytona shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez led off the game with a single to left. After Shed Long singled to put runners at first and third, Nick Senzel grounded out to second to give Daytona (25-20) a 1-0 lead. After Gavin LaValley singled to put runners at the corners, Hunter unleashed a wild pitch, allowing Long to score and make it 2-0.
With Charlotte still trailing by two in the bottom of the second, catcher Brett Sullivan doubled to center to start the inning. Ryan Boldt followed by bunting a ball up the first base line. Daytona catcher Chris Okey fired the throw into right field, allowing Sullivan to score and cut the deficit to 2-1. Three batters later, Jake Fraley pulled a single to right to plate Boldt and tie the game at two.
But the Stone Crabs' lead did not last long. With one out in the top of the third, Senzel singled before LaValley pulled a two-run home run off the scoreboard in left center against Stone Crabs' righty Eduar Lopez (3-5) to give the Tortguas a 4-2 lead.
Daytona scored three more runs off Lopez to extend their lead to 7-2.
Tortugas starter Jesús Reyes (5-1) went seven innings, striking out five while allowing one earned run on eight hits. Robert Stock and Jake Ehret each worked a scoreless inning of relief to seal the win.
The Stone Crabs and Tortugas will play a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Génesis Cabrera (3-4, 3.35) makes the Game 1 start for Charlotte against Wendolyn Bautista (1-0, 3.00) of Daytona. Coverage begins at 3:45 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.
