FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Miscues Doom Stone Crabs in 8-7 Loss to Manatees

Published on July 25, 2011 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The Charlotte Stone Crabs dropped the series opener to the Brevard County Manatees in a back-and-forth 8-7 battle on Monday at Charlotte Sports Park.

Charlotte committed four errors and issued seven walks in the loss, with four of those free passes eventually coming around to score for Brevard County. The Stone Crabs have now dropped four of their first five meetings with the Manatees this season.

Despite Monday's loss, Charlotte remains in second place, just a half game behind the St. Lucie Mets and Bradenton Marauders in the second half South Division standings.

Mark Thomas got the Stone Crabs off to a good start with his 10th home run of the season, a towing two-run blast in the first inning.

Brevard County answered in the top of the third. After a pair of walks, Kentrail Davis sent a single to right that got under Brett Nommensen's glove for a costly error that tied the game up at 2-2.

Josh Prince got his big night going in the fifth, when his two-run double gave the Manatees a two-run lead. One batter later, Prince came in to score on a wild pitch by Alex Koronis to put Brevard County on top 5-2.

The next two frames belonged to Mike Sheridan, who tied a season-high with four RBI's on the night. Charlotte drew consecutive free passes to begin the bottom half of the fourth. Sheridan supplied a one-out, two-run single that pulled the Stone Crabs within one run of the lead.

Sheridan added two more RBI's to his tally in with a double in the fifth inning double to put the Stone Crabs back on top, though the lead would not stand for long.

Prince came through with another big run-scoring hit in the sixth. His three-run blast home run off Charlotte's Deivis Mavarez gave Brevard County its final tallies in a back-and-forth battle. The Manatees shortstop finished with a 2-for-3 night to go along with five RBI's and a pair of runs scored.

Tyler Bortnick created a run in the eighth to pull the home team back to within one. The Charlotte second baseman doubled down the left field line, advanced to third on a groundout, and then scored on Matt Hall's single.

The Stone Crabs threatened in the bottom of the ninth, but left the tying run standing on third base.

Manatees reliever Efrain Nieves (3-0) earned the win in the relief, hurling three frames of one run ball with one strikeout and no walks.

Roque Mercedes picked up his fourth save, working a scoreless final 1 1/3 innings to shut the door.

Mavarez (1-5) was tagged with the loss in relief. The righty allowed three runs - all on Prince's long ball - with one strikeout and a walk in two innings of work.

The Stone Crabs continue their series with the Manatees on Tuesday at Charlotte Sports Park. Righty Jake Thompson (7-5) gets the nod for Charlotte opposite Brevard County right-hander Hiram Burgos (3-6). First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

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Florida State League Stories from July 25, 2011


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