Charlotte Stone Crabs take series by defeating Tampa Yankees 9-4

The Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs fought hard and came away with a 9-4 victory against the Tampa Yankees on Tuesday night at Steinbrenner Field. With the win, the Stone Crabs won the series three games to one and evened the road trip record to .500 for their first road trip against FSL North opponents.

The Stone Crabs lit up the scoreboard first in the top of the first inning. Emeel Salem led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch. Matt Fields hit an RBI single to score Salem and put the Stone Crabs on top 1-0. Tampa took the lead in the bottom of the inning when Austin Romine and Jesus Montero crossed the plate to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead.

The Stone Crabs tied the game in the second off an RBI single by Emeel Salem that scored Diogenes Luis. The tie held until the top of the fifth inning. Once again it was Emeel Salem that got things started by drawing a walk. Salem then stole second and advance to third on the play off a throwing error by Tampa’s catcher Jesus Montero. Salem was then drove home by Shawn Williams to give the Stone Crabs the lead 3-2.

Tampa wasted no time getting back on top by retaking the lead in the bottom of the fifth. The Yankees got thing started by back to back singles by Matthew Cusick and Jesus Montero. Cusick later scored on an error by Stone Crab’s Diogenes Luis and Montero came home on an RBI single by Brian Baisley to put the Yankees back on top 4-3.

Matt Field delivered a solo home run, his eleventh on the season, to tie things up in the eighth inning. The momentum continued into the ninth as the Stone Crabs put the game out of reach by producing a five run inning. John Matulia provided a pinch hit single that scored Ryan Royster and Christian Lopez. Shawn Williams drove in two runs with a double to right score Matulia and Emeel Salem. Williams later crossed the plate on an RBI single by Greg Sexton. The Stone Crabs took the lead 9-4 and held it to the end.

Jesse Darcy was still unable to find that first win of the season as he pitched 5 innings in the no decision. Darcy surrendered 4 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits while striking out 4 and walking 2. The bullpen was impressive throwing 4 innings of no-hit baseball between Justin Garcia, Paul Phillips and Matt Gorgen. Phillips and Gorgen recorded 1 strikeout a piece and Phillips collected the win. Charles Nolte was charged with a bad save and the loss for Tampa.

What Went Right: The bullpen; another fine outing by the Stone Crabs bullpen pitching 4 innings of perfect baseball, Matt Gorgen lowered his ERA to 0.36. Shawn Williams; 2 for 5 with a double, three RBI’s and a run scores.

What Went Wrong: Diogenes Luis; remains hitless as a Stone Crab going 0-2 on the night.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs return home to Charlotte Sports Park on Wednesday to start a four game series against the Daytona Cubs (22-24). David Newmann (2-3) will get the start for the Stone Crabs and Dan McDaniel (2-3) will be on the hill for the Cubs.