FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Charlotte Sweeps Jupter in Doubleheader

Published on August 24, 2011 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


JUPITER, Fla. -- An impending storm front forced the Charlotte Stone Crabs to speed up their plans against the Jupiter Hammerheads. That plan was to win the series, and Charlotte did just that by sweeping Jupiter in a doubleheader on Wednesday at Roger Dean Stadium.

The Stone Crabs took advantage of a seventh inning throwing error to edge the Hammerheads by a 4-3 final in Game 1, while strong pitching and timely hitting led to a 5-1 victory in the second contest. The two clubs moved the scheduled Thursday finale up a day to play a doubleheader, hoping to avoid any effects of Hurricane Irene.

Joe Cruz made his first start of the season for Charlotte in the first game of the day. The big righty, rehabbing from arm troubles that landed him on the disabled list in Double-A, was in complete control over five innings of work. Cruz tossed five blank frames and allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out four men.

With Cruz handling the Hammerheads over the first five, the Stone Crabs went to work against Jupiter starter Jose Rosario in the fourth inning. Tyler Bortnick's leadoff walk was followed by a single from Mike Sheridan to put the Stone Crabs in business. One out later, Anthony Scelfo walked to load the bases.

Matt Hall lifted a sacrifice fly to Scott Cousins in right to bring home Bortnick, but the scoring on the play did not stop there. Scelfo got caught between first and second, which allowed Sheridan to round third and beat the throw home for a 2-0 lead. With Scelfo now at second, Jake Jefferies hit a liner to first that went under Taylor Krick's glove and capped a three-run inning.

Jupiter fought back with three runs of their own against reliever Kirby Yates (2-0) in the sixth inning, but a throwing error by shortstop Jeff Dominguez handed the lead back to Charlotte in the seventh. Yates settled down to close the door in the bottom half and secure the win.

Jake Thompson (5-6) led the Stone Crabs to a 5-1 win in the second contest. He allowed just one run on three hits over six innings. He did not walk a batter while striking out two men. Thompson lowered his ERA to 2.75, which is tied for third in the Florida State League.

Scelfo enjoyed a three hit night, driving in a pair of runs to help back Thompson's performance. Mark Thomas chipped in an RBI double, while Jefferies ripped a two-run single to cap the night offensively.

The Stone Crabs will now have an off day thanks to the double header on Wednesday. Charlotte will host the Fort Myers Miracle on Friday to complete a suspended game from August 21, which will be resumed at 5:30 p.m. Righty Albert Suarez (1-0) will take the mound in the regularly scheduled nine inning game that will follow.

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Florida State League Stories from August 24, 2011


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