FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Stone Crabs Fall Short to Cards

Published on July 9, 2012 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


JUPITER -- What looked on paper to be a possible pitchers' duel turned into a knock-down, drag-out offensive battle between the Charlotte Stone Crabs and Palm Beach Cardinals.

In the end, the Cardinals were able to push across just enough to hold off the Stone Crabs for a 10-9 victory in Monday's series finale at Roger Dean Stadium.

Both pitchers breezed through perfect first innings before the Cardinals plated the first run of the game against C.J. Riefenhauser (7-5) in the bottom of the second. After Alan Ahmady reached on an error to open the inning, Rainel Rosario legged out an infield hit to break the scoreless tie.

That single was a modest start to what would end up being a four-RBI night for the Palm Beach right fielder. Rosario finished a perfect 3-for-3 and made a pair of running catches in the ninth inning to help the Cardinals take 2 of 3 in the series.

The Cardinals opened up a 6-0 lead with a five-run third inning rally. Ahmady struck the big blow against Riefenhauser when he belted a grand slam home run over the left field wall to highlight the offensive outburst.

Charlotte was not to be taken lightly, however, putting the first five men aboard in the fourth inning to plate five runs of their own. Riccio Torrez hit the first of two Stone Crabs homers on the evening, while Mikie Mahtook, Robi Estrada and Hector Guevara all collected RBI's to make it a 6-5 game.

Cardinals starter Ryan Sherriff brought a five-game winning streak into the game, but was unable to make it out of the fourth inning. He was charged with all five runs - four earned - on six hits and three walks over 3-1/3 innings of work.

Things got even more interesting in the bottom of the fifth, when Riefenhauser hit Ahmady on the back foot with an off-speed pitch. Homeplate umpire Mario Seneca immediately ejected Riefenhauser from the game, forcing Charlotte to go to the bullpen earlier than expected.

Alex Koronis came on as the Cardinals offense staged a three-run rally. Rosario lifted a sacrifice fly to plate the first run of the inning, but Nick Longmire belted a two-run homer that extended the lead to 9-5.

Riefenhauser was worked over for seven runs - six earned - on seven hits, including Ahmady's key grand slam. He walked one and struck out three.

The big innings continued when the Stone Crabs got a three-spot in the top of the seventh. Derek Dietrich belted his team-leading eighth home run of the season, a three-run shot that pulled Charlotte within a run.

One last bit of scoring by the Cardinals in the bottom of the seventh proved to be the difference in the game. Catcher Luis De La Cruz led off the inning with a single and picked a fine time to steal his first base of the season. With the runner now at second, Rosario collected his fourth and final RBI with a line drive single to center to plate De La Cruz.

The Stone Crabs made it a 10-9 game with an eighth inning run off Cardinals reliever Aiden Lucas. A lead-off walk to Torrez eventually came back to bite Lucas as Estrada grounded to second to pull Charlotte to within a run.

All of the scoring would stop there. Palm Beach closer Dean Kiekhefer surrendered a single to Phil Wunderlich to start the ninth, but settled down to convert his eighth save of the season.

The Stone Crabs will have Tuesday off before opening a four-game series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Wednesday at Charlotte Sports Park. Lefty Enny Romero will take the mound in the opener. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

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Florida State League Stories from July 9, 2012


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