FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Pitching Stands Tall as Crabs Take Series

Published on May 1, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - The Charlotte Stone Crabs' league-leading pitching staff did it again on Sunday afternoon, lowering its ERA to 2.24 in a 2-1 victory over the Fort Myers Miracle.

The win gave Charlotte its first series triumph in its last three and brought the team within two games of first place in the FSL South. The Stone Crabs are even at .500 for the first time since last Sunday.

Greg Harris started the game for the Stone Crabs and bounced back tremendously from a rough outing on Tuesday, throwing seven innings of one-run ball. Harris (3-1) did not issue a walk for the first time this year, and fanned four while scattering six hits. His one blemish was a solo home run from Max Murphy in the top of the third.

The Charlotte bullpen was terrific once again. Jeff Howell started the eighth and recorded two outs, and Brian Miller picked up his second save with the last four outs of the game. With pinch runner Chad Christensen on first and one out in the ninth, Miller coaxed a double play groundball from Alex Real that was expertly played into the final two outs by the Stone Crabs infield. All in all, the Miracle hit into three double plays on the afternoon.

For the second straight game, the Stone Crabs offense did just enough to win. Riley Unroe led off the game with a double and took third on a Bralin Jackson groundout. With the infield in, Grant Kay scorched a grounder to second that bounced off of Ryan Walker's chest, allowing Unroe to score the game's first run.

After Murphy tied the game at 1-1, the Crabs regained the lead in the fifth. Unroe doubled again with one out, smacking a harsh ground ball into the left field corner, and Jackson followed up with his team-high fifth double of the season to score Unroe and put the Stone Crabs ahead for good. Charlotte held on to win despite going 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and leaving at least one man on base in every inning.

The Stone Crabs welcome the Jupiter Hammerheads to Port Charlotte on Monday night for the final three-game series of this homestand. RHP Chris Pike (0-2, 4.22) takes the hill for the Crabs against Hammerheads RHP Jeff Brigham (0-1, 5.27).

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Florida State League Stories from May 1, 2016


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