Stone Crabs pull out 13-10 slugfest in St. Lucie

PORT SAINT LUCIE, Fla. (June 22, 2017) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs erased two deficits to pull out a 13-10 slugfest over the St. Lucie Mets Thursday at First Data Field.  
The Stone Crabs (1-0, 32-37) began the second half of the season by setting season highs in runs (13) and hits (17) in what was the highest scoring game of the year.
Dalton Kelly led the way with a 4-for-5 performance that included a home run, three runs scored and three RBI.
In a game that featured four lead changes, the Stone Crabs took the lead for good in the top of the eighth. Trailing 10-9 against Mets (0-1, 33-36) reliever Joshua Torres (0-2), Thomas Milone lined a single to right before Jake Cronenworth doubled him to third. Peter Maris then flew out to deep right to score Milone and tie the game at 10. After Brandon Lowe walked to put runners at the corners, Brett Sullivan singled to second to bring home Cronenworth and give Charlotte an 11-10 lead. After a pitching change, Kelly pulled a single into right to make the score 12-10. The Stone Crabs then added another run on a first-and-third baserunning play to cap the scoring at 13-10.
After allowing runs in five straight innings, the Charlotte bullpen buckled down in the eighth and ninth. Brandon Lawson (2-2) worked a perfect eighth innings and Dalton Moats retired the Mets in order in the ninth to earn his fourth save of the year.
Cronenworth and Ryan Boldt each tallied three hits for the Stone Crabs.
The Stone Crabs and Mets will face each other against Friday at 6:30 p.m. Michael Velasquez (0-4, 5.13) makes the start for Charlotte against Jordan Humphreys (High-A debut) of St. Lucie. Coverage begins at 6:15 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.