Sunday, July 26, 2009

Charlotte Stone Crabs hold on to beat Clearwater 2-1

Charlotte Stone CrabsThe Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs improved their record to 17-12 with a 2-1 victory over the Clearwater Threshers on Saturday night at Charlotte Sports Park. Darin Downs threw a gem of a game by pitching seven shutout innings enroute to his eleventh win of the season.

The Stone Crabs broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning. Matt Hall reached base on a fielding error by Clearwater’s third baseman Cody Overbeck to lead off the inning. Hall then proceeded to steal second and later advance to third on a wild pitch. Omar Luna followed with an RBI double to score Hall. Shawn Riggans delivered a single to right to advance Luna to third. Henry Wrigley then drove home the second run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to score Luna and give the Stone Crabs a 2-0 lead.

The Threshers tried to make things interesting with a late game rally. Javis Diaz led off the top of the ninth inning with a pinch hit single to third. Dominic Brown then drew a walk to give Clearwater runners on first and second. Michael Durant then delivered a two out single to center that scored Diaz and cut the lead in half. But Richard De Los Santos got Cody Overbeck to fly out and the Stone Crabs held on for a 2-1 win.

The Stone Crabs pitching staff combined to throw 8 2/3 shut-out innings. Darin Downs went 7 innings earning the win and not allowing a run off 3 hits while striking out 4 and walking 1. Richard De Los Santo pitched the final 2 frames and surrendered a run on 3 hits while striking out 1 and walking 1 while recording the save. Jon Velasquez was the losing pitcher for Clearwater.

What Went Right: Darin Downs; 7 shut-out innings in recording his 11th win, second in the league behind teammate Jeremy Hall.

What Went Wrong: Shawn O’Malley; 0-4 with 2 K’s.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs begin a for game series against the North Division leading Tampa Yankees (17-9) on Sunday evening at Charlotte Sports Park. Jeremy Hall (12-4) will be on the mound for the Stone Crabs.

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