Charlotte Stone Crabs Drop To 0-3

[This article was written by Jim Donten, our Charlotte Stone Crabs correspondent.]

The Game: Charlotte was unable to keep the Fort Myers offense grounded as they lost their third game in a row by the score of 11-6. Fort Myers jumped all over the Stone Crabs starter David Newmann, scoring 7 runs in the second. Joe Benson and Deibinson Romero contributed to the big inning both picking up 2-RBI’s a piece with double. Fort Myers added to their lead by picking up another run in the third, taking a commanding 8-0 lead.

Charlotte got on the board in the bottom of the fourth as Ryan Royster drove in Matt Fields. Then picked up two more runs in the fifth as Emeel Salem and Gregory Sexton pick up RBI’s and narrow the margin, 8-3. BJ Upton blazed the bases, picking up 2 steals and crossed the plate for one of the runs. Fort Myers didn’t sit quietly as they added two more runs of their own in the sixth inning. Ben Revere went deep against Craig James and Deibinson Romero drove in the second run. Fort Myers still held the lead, 10-3.

Charlotte kept digging, trying to make a comeback by pushing across three more runs with a two run sixth inning and another run in the seventh. Omar Luna, BJ Upton and Reid Fronk picked up the RBI’s. Bringing the score to 10-6. Fort Myers added an insurance run in the ninth courtesy of a home run by Chris Parmelee off Austin Hinkle. They threaten again following a triple by Chris Cates, but the defense kept him from crossing the plate.

Matthew Williams (1-0) picked up the win for Fort Myers. David Newmann (0-1) was the losing pitcher going three innings, giving up 8 runs off 7 hits and walking three.

What Went Right: The offense; the offense was strong, picking up 6 runs and 13 hits. BJ Upton continued his MLB rehab assignment by going 3-4 with 2 stolen bases, a run scored and a walk. Ryan Royster was 2-3 with a double and an RBI.

What Went Wrong: Leaving Newmann in the game while getting rocked; the skipper should have went to the pen early instead of allowing Newmann to get into the hole that the team could not pull out of. Charlotte outscored Fort Myers 6-4 outside the 7 run second inning. Maybe it was the performance of the bullpen the previous two nights that led to the hesitation.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs are off today for Easter Sunday. They finish out the 4 game series against Fort Myers on the road Monday.