Taylor lives up to all-star billing in RedWolves’ win

FLORENCE — On Tuesday morning, John Taylor was named a Coastal Plain League all-star.

On Tuesday night, he pitched like one.

The right-hander gave up one run over seven innings, leading the Florence RedWolves to a 9-6 win over the Wilson Tobs.

“John is a guy who competes,” said Florence coach Wes Davis. “He has a lot of deception with his pitches, which is especially tough on the hitters (learning to use) wood bats.”

In his seven innings, Taylor (4-3) allowed two hits, walked two and struck out five. The lone run he surrendered came on a home run by Justin Vasquez in the sixth.

That effort lowers Taylor’s team-leading ERA to 1.34. In 53 2/3 innings, he’s given up 32 hits, walked 13 and struck out 47.

Those numbers have earned Taylor the starting nod for the National team in the 11th annual CPL All-Star Game that will be played in Wilmington on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.

“I’m thankful to make the team,” Taylor said. “There are some other guys who have put up some pretty good numbers, so I didn’t expect to get the start.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll get a chance to meet a lot of guys. Hopefully, we can get the win.”

While Taylor was keeping the Tobs in check, the RedWolves were cranking out 14 hits. Herman Petzold was 3-for-4, while Sam DiMatteo was 2-for-5 with two stolen bases, and Patrick Dolan and Richard Pirkle each went 2-for-5 with two RBI.

The win moves the RedWolves to 9-3 and gives them a 1 ½-game lead over Wilson atop the South standings.

“We’re just trying to treat the game the same every day,” Davis said. “Whether you win five in a row or lose the night before, you have to treat the game the same way the next time out.

“Right now, our guys are coming out ready to play.”

The RedWolves took a 4-0 lead in the third off Wilson starter Stephen Huff (0-2). The big hit came on a two-out, two-run double by Dolan.

An RBI single from Myckie Lugbauer in the fourth pushed Florence to a 5-0 lead before the RedWolves made it 9-0 with four runs in the fifth. A two-run homer from Pirkle — his third of the summer — did the most damage.

Wilson made it 9-1 in the sixth on Vasquez’ homer, an opposite-field shot to left.

“He’s given me trouble all year. I wasn’t surprised,” Taylor said. “It was a fastball on the outside and he put the bat on it pretty good. He went with the pitch.”

Infielder Tyler Burnett made his first appearance on the mound, taking over for Taylor in the eighth. In 1 2/3 innings, he gave up three hits, five runs (three earned), walked two and struck out none.

With Tobs on first and second and the tying run at the plate in the ninth, Brad Raj came on to record the final out and pick up the save.

“Tyler pitched a lot in high school. He has some ability,” Davis said. “We’ve been short in the bullpen and we wanted to give him a shot. He was just up in the strike zone tonight, but he’s still an option for us.”

Florence hosts Wilmington tonight at 7:30.