Lara Lifts Stone Crabs

Lara (3-0) dominated the Marauders over his six innings of work, allowing just one run while striking out four and walking one. In fact, he seemed to get stronger as the night wore on, retiring 11 of the final 12 batters he faced.

This marked Lara's fourth consecutive start surrendering two runs or fewer as he remains the only undefeated Stone Crabs starter.

Charlotte's offense supported Lara's fine start by utilizing a well-balanced attack. Cody Rogers enjoyed a two hit night and got things started with a third inning single. He promptly stole second and came in to score the Stone Crabs first run of the night.

Derek Dietrich provided the go-ahead run in the fourth inning, hitting a solo home run off Bradenton starter Eliecer Navarro (0-2) to make it a 2-1 game. That was Dietrich's first homer of the season, a year removed from leading all Tampa Bay Rays farmhands with 22 long balls.

The Stone Crabs bats entered Tuesday's series opener with just one extra-base over the prior 3 games, but used the Dietrich homer and a two-run double from Robby Price to move ahead to stay.

After two shut-out innings of relief from Eliazer Suero, closer Chris Rearick shut down the Marauders with a scoreless ninth inning to earn his sixth save in as many tries.

Charlotte looks to insure a series victory on Wednesday night as they send righty Wilking Rodriguez to the mound. Bradenton counters with fellow righty Tyler Waldron. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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Florida State League Stories from May 1, 2012

• Lara Lifts Stone Crabs - Charlotte Stone Crabs
• 'Tees Blanked by Yanks to Open Road Trip - Brevard County Manatees
• Cardinals Blow Game Open Late, Win 9-3 - Fort Myers Miracle

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