Charlotte Stone Crabs lose game 1 of the double header in extra innings

The Game: Matt Fields goes yard twice but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Clearwater Threshers as they Stone Crabs lost 8-7 in extra innings during game one of the double header. The Stone Crabs came out scoring by putting four runs on the board in the first inning. Emeel Salem led of the game with a walk and Shawn O’Malley reached on an error to put runners on first and second. Greg Sexton followed with a single to load the bases. But the bases weren’t loaded long as Matt Fields cleared them with a grand slam that put the Stone Crabs up 4-0.

Clearwater added a run in the second inning when Fidel Hernandez hit a sac fly to score Javis Diaz. They added two more in the second off a two run homer by Michael Durant to trail the Stone Crabs by one.

Matt Fields homered for the second time of the night in the fifth inning to give the Stone Crabs a 5-3 lead. But Clearwater would not sit quietly as they got back to back home runs by Cody Overbeck and Jesus Villegas Andino to tie the game at five runs a piece and force extra innings.

The Stone Crabs broke the tie in the ninth. Ryan Royster got things started with a single to center and advanced to second on a sac bunt by Shawn Williams. Emeel Salem hit an RBI single to right to score Royster and advanced to second on a fielding error. Salem then stole third and came home on an RBI single by Shawn O’Malley to give the Stone Crabs a 7-5 lead.

The Threshers tied things back up in the bottom of the ninth on a two run home run by Cody Overbeck, his second of the night. The 7-7 tie lasted until the bottom of the eleventh when Dominic Brown singled to center that scored Jesus Villegas Andino, breaking the tie and giving Clearwater the 8-7 victory.

Alex Cobb pitched 5 innings giving up 3 runs (2 earned) off 5 hits, striking out 5. Chad Bradford pitched 1 scoreless inning in his second MLB rehab appearance giving up 1 hit. Austin Hinkle gave up two home runs and picked up his first blown save of the season going 2 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 2. Paul Phillips was charged with the loss going 2 2/3 innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits while striking out 4 and walking 1. Michael Schwimer was the winner for Clearwater.

What Went Right: Matt Fields; 2-5 with 2 HR’s and 5 RBI’s.

What Went Wrong: The bullpen; gave up the lead 3 times, 2 blown saves and allowed 3 home runs and 10 hits. Nevin Ashley; 0-5.

A Look Ahead: Game two of the double header. Rayner Oliveros (1-0) is on the mound for Charlotte.