Charlotte Stone Crabs fall to Palm Beach Cardinals

The Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs dropped the game and the series by losing to the Palm Beach Cardinals 6-5 at Charlotte Sports Park. The Cardinals got on the scoreboard in the first inning as Jermaine Curtis and Curt Smith had back to back singles. Thomas Pham followed with a two run triple to center. Pham was brought home by the very next batter as Francisco Rivera hit an RBI single to center putting Palm Beach ahead 3-0.

Charlotte answered in the bottom of the inning. Shawn O’Malley led off the game with a double to right and later advanced to third on a wild pitch by David Kopp. Cody Cipriano hit a sacrifice fly to deep center that scored O’Malley. The Stone Crabs got another run in the bottom of the second when Reid Fronk led off the inning with a solo home run bringing the Stone Crabs within 1.

Palm Beach put up three runs to distance themselves from the Stone Crabs in the fifth inning. Curt Smith had a solo home run to right. Francisco Rivera and Domnit Bolivar both picked up RBI singles to give the Cardinals a 6-2 lead.

The Stone Crabs rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning. Christian Lopez reached base on an error and Emeel Salem drew a walk to put runners at first and second for Cody Cipriano. Cipriano delivered a two run double and then scored himself on a wild pitch by Thomas Eager. The three run rally was not enough as the Stone Crabs were unable to push across any more runs and Palm Beach held on to win 6-5.

Jeremy Hall (3-2) was charged with the loss going 4 1/3 innings giving up 5 runs on 7 hits while striking out 8 and walking 2. Kevin Boggan gave up 1 run off 5 hits striking out 2 and walking 1 in 2 2/3 innings of work. Paul Phillips gave 2 innings of no-hit relief striking out and walking 1. David Kopp (2-2) was the winning pitcher for Palm Beach.

What Went Right: Greg Sexton; 2-3 with a walk. Cody Cipriano 1-3 with a double and 3 RBI’s.

What Went Wrong: Nevin Ashley; 0-4 with 3 K’s.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs are off for Mother’s Day but begin a 3 game series at home against the Jupiter Hammerheads (14-15) on Monday night.