Stone Crabs explode for season-high 17 hits in 12-1 win

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (June 1, 2019) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs set a season-high with 17 hits Saturday, blowing out the St. Lucie Mets 12-1 to claim the series at Charlotte Sports Park.
Six of the nine Stone Crabs (29-26) starters recorded multiple hits in the third win of five runs or more on the homestand.
In a scoreless game in the top of the first, Charlotte right fielder Thomas Milone tripled to the wall in right center. Moises Gomez promptly pulled a single to left to make it 1-0. After two singles and a walk loaded the bases with one out, Garrett Whitley drew a walk to force in a run and make it 2-0.
Leading 2-1 in the third, the Stone Crabs strung together five hits with two outs. With two on, Jake Palomaki pulled a single into right to make it 3-0. The next batter was Mac Seibert , who singled to left to plate a pair and make it 5-0.
After the Stone Crabs added a run in the fourth, the Mets' defense faltered in the fifth. With two on and nobody out, Milone lofted a high pop up to left that was not caught. That set the stage for back-to-back two-run doubles from Jim Haley and Whitley, as the Stone Crabs opened up an 11-1 lead.
Charlotte right-hander Stephen Woods Jr. (3-1) needed only 49 pitches to turn in 4.1 hitless innings and earn the win.
Whitley led the offensive show, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI.
The Stone Crabs will go for their sixth straight win over St. Lucie this season at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tommy Romero (2-1, 2.27) will make the start for Charlotte, against Luc Rennie (3-2, 4.35) of the Mets. Coverage begins at 12:15 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.