FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Cruz, Sheridan Lead Stone Crabs to 5-2 Win

Published on August 29, 2011 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The Charlotte Stone Crabs got a great pitching performance from Joe Cruz and a four RBI night from Mike Sheridan to defeat the Fort Myers Miracle 5-2 on Monday at Hammond Stadium.

Sheridan enjoyed a big night at the plate to power the Stone Crabs offense in support of Cruz, who overcame a brief lapse in command to toss an impressive seven inning outing.

Cruz (1-0) allowed just two earned runs, both on a second inning single by Anderson Hidalgo, among four hits. He walked one and struck out one.

Trailing 2-0 in the fifth inning, Charlotte finally broke through against Fort Myers righty B.J. Hermsen. After stranding six runners in the first four innings, Sheridan chopped a single over the mound and past rehabbing Minnesota Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla to bring home two runs and knot the game 2-2.

The Stone Crabs went ahead in the seventh inning against Miracle lefty Matt Tone (2-5). It was Sheridan who delivered again, this time with a booming two-run double off the right center field wall to give Charlotte the 4-2 advantage.

Jose Lobaton, down on a rehab assignment from the Tampa Bay Rays, enjoyed a three hit night. He provided an eighth inning insurance run with a double of his own that stretched the Stone Crabs lead to 5-2.

Not only did the timely hits finally materialize in the middle and late innings, but the Stone Crabs flashed the leather behind Cruz all night long. Third baseman Riccio Torrez turned in a handful of spectacular plays at third, including a diving stop to his backhand side up the line that robbed James Beresford of a base hit to stat the third inning.

Mark Thomas helped squelch any thoughts Fort Myers had of taking liberties on the base paths. The Charlotte catcher threw out two more base runners on Monday and has now caught 41-of-86 would-be base stealers this season. His .477 caught stealing percentage leads the Florida State League.

Sheridan drove home four runs in a game for the third time this season. He continues to add to his career-high total in RBI's, which now stands at 63 following Monday's win. The double in the seventh inning was Sheridan's 34th of the season, moving him into a three-way tie for second in the FSL.

Though the Stone Crabs were unable to take the season series from the Miracle, they were able to end things on a high note in the 18th meeting of the season between the two clubs. Fort Myers edged Charlotte 10-8 on the year.

The Stone Crabs return home to welcome the Jupiter Hammerheads to Charlotte Sports Park for a quick three-game, two-day series on Tuesday. The two clubs will resume a suspended game from July 7 in the opening contest and then play a second seven-inning game. That game will be resumed at 4:30 p.m.

Check out the Charlotte Stone Crabs Statistics

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Florida State League Stories from August 29, 2011


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