Charlotte Stone Crabs beat Tampa Yankees 8-2

The Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs defeated the Tampa Yankees 8-2 Monday night at Steinbrenner Field. The Stone Crabs wasted no time as they took the lead in the first inning and never looked back. Greg Sexton got things started in the first with a single to center and later scored off an RBI double by Matt Fields to put the Stone Crabs ahead 1-0.

The Stone Crabs added another run in the third off an RBI single by Greg Sexton to score Emeel Salem. The Yankees matched them in the bottom of the inning as Walter Ibarra scored on a throwing error by Stone Crab’s catcher Nevin Ashley but the Stone Crabs still held the lead 2-1.

Charlotte separated themselves from the Yankees by producing a four run fifth inning. Emeel Salem hit an infield single to get things going and then later scored on an RBI triple by Shawn O’Malley. Greg Sexton drove in O’Malley for the second run of the inning. Matt Fields followed with a base clearing two run homer, his tenth of the season, giving the Stone Crabs a 6-1 lead.

The Yankees added a run in the bottom of the fifth as Jack Rye led off the inning with a triple. Rye later scored off an RBI single by Jesus Montero. The Yankees still trailed by 4.

The Stone Crabs added a few more in the seventh. Shawn O’Malley led off inning with a bunt single and then stole second and third base. O’Malley later scored on a passed ball. Cody Cipriano double to put a runner in scoring position for Charlotte and was later drove home by an RBI double by Nevin Ashley, giving the Stone Crabs the 8-2 lead in which they never relinquished.

Alex Cobb evened his record to 2-2 by earning the win; pitching 5 innings and surrendered 2 runs off 5 hits while striking out 6 and walking 1. Rayner Oliveros pitched 2 perfect innings recording no runs, no hits and 2 strikeouts. Austin Hinkle finished out the game allowing two hits in two innings with striking out and walking 3. Jeremy Bleich was the loser for Tampa.

What Went Right: Shawn O’Malley; 3 for 5 with a triple, an RBI, 2 runs scored and 2 stolen bases. Matt Fields; 2 for 5 with a home run, double, 3 RBI’s and a run scored.

What Went Wrong: Omar Luna; 0 for 5 with 2 K’s. Greg Sexton; committed his team leading 11th error.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs and Yankees finish the series on Tuesday night at Steinbrenner Field. Jesse Darcy (0-5) still looking for his first win of the season will face off against DJ Mitchell (1-1).