Stone Crabs lose lead and game to Fort Myers

The Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs gave up a five run lead to lose the game 6-5 against Fort Myers at Hammond Stadium. With the loss, the Stone Crabs dropped to second place in the FSL South Division, tied with Jupiter.

The Stone Crabs had a big third inning to take the lead. Pedro Powell drew an inning opening walk and then stole second. Shawn O’Malley followed with a walk and then a double steal put runners at second and third. Greg Sexton delivered a 2 run double to score Powell and O’Malley. Matt Fields followed with an RBI single to score Sexton. Cody Cipriano cleared the bases with a 2 run homer and Charlotte took a 5-0 lead.

But that was the end of the Charlotte offense and Fort Myers began to play catch up. Joe Benson led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a single, but advance to third on a fielding error by Ryan Royster. Benson later came home on a ground out by Steve Singleton. Deibinson Romero drew a walk and then advance to third on a double by Rene Leveret. With runners at second and third, David Newmann threw a wild pitch allowing Romero to score and Leveret to advance to third. Chris Parmelee drove in the third run of the inning with an sac fly to score Leveret, Fort Myers now trails by 2.

Fort Myers tied the game in the seventh as Steve Singleton hit an RBI single to right field to score Jair Fernandez. The very next batter, Deibinson Romero double to left scoring Chris Cates and evened the score at 5-5.

The Miracle got the victory in the bottom of the ninth. Jair Fernandez started out the inning by striking out but reaching first on a throwing error by Mark Thomas. Danny Lehmann came into the game to pinch run for Fernandez. Joe Benson drew a walk giving Fort Myers runners at first and second. Austin Hinkle then delivered a wild pitch allowing the runners to advance to second and third for the sac fly by Deibinson Romero to score Lehmann and give the Miracle the win 6-5.

David Newmann went 6 innings giving up 3 runs of 5 hits while striking out 5. Rayner Oliveros was charged with a bad save by giving up 2 runs off 3 hits in 1 inning of work. Austin Hinkle was the losing pitcher giving up 1 unearned run but not allowing a hit in 1 2/3 innings. Alex Burnett was the winning pitcher for the Miracle.

What Went Right: Cody Cipriano; continued his hot streak by going 2-4 with a home run and 3 RBI’s. Greg Sexton; also 2-4 with 2 doubles and an RBI.

What Went Wrong: 2 fielding errors and wild pitches allowing Fort Myers to score or advance into scoring positions.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs travel to Jupiter for a three game series against the Jupiter Hammerheads (13-10).