Charlotte Stone Crabs defeat Daytona Cubs 10-2

The Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs defeated the Daytona Cubs 10-2 on Saturday night at Charlotte Sports Park. The Stone Crabs got things started in the first by Emeel Salem drawing a walk. Salem advanced to second on a ground out by Greg Sexton and then drove home on an RBI single by Matt Fields to give the Stone Crabs a 1-0 lead.

The Stone Crabs opened things up in the third by putting five runs on the board. The inning kicked of with back to back singles by Christian Lopez and Shawn O’Malley. Emeel Salem drew his second walk of the night to load the bases for the Stone Crabs. But they didn’t stay loaded long, Greg Sexton hit a bases clearing triple to score all three base runners. Sexton later scored on an RBI single by Matt Fields. Cody Cipriano grounded into what was thought to be a double play, but Cipriano reached second thanks to a throwing error by Daytona’s second baseman Nate Samson. Shawn Williams kept things going with a walk. Cipriano and Williams pulled a double steal to give the Stone Crabs runners in scoring position. Ryan Royster drove in the final run of the inning on a sac fly to center that scored Cipriano and gave the Stone Crabs a 6-0 lead.

The Cubs finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth. Jake Opitz lead off the inning with a solo homer to right. The Cubs followed with back to back singles by Jonathan Wyatt and Tony Campana but Alex Cobb was able to pitch out of the jam and keep them from crossing the plate and maintain the 6-1 Stone Crab lead.

The Charlotte offense struck again in the bottom of the sixth. Shawn O’Malley reached base thanks to a throwing error by Daytona’s Marwin Gonzalez. Emeel Salem followed by reaching on a bunt. O’Malley and Salem advanced on a wild pitch and gave the Stone Crabs runners on second and third. Greg Sexton singled home O’Malley for the first run of the inning. Matt Fields followed with an RBI single to left to score Salem. Cody Cipriano singled to load the bases for the Stone Crabs. Shawn Williams hit a sac fly to left to score Sexton. Fields scored on a single by Ryan Royster and the Stone Crabs took a 10-1 lead.

Brian Flores struggled with two outs in the seventh and gave the Cubs their second run of the game. Flores issued back to back walks to Dylan Johnston and Robinson Chirinos who later advanced on a balk. Johnston scored on a wild pitch by Flores. Flores fought back to strike out Ryan Keedy to end the inning. The Stone Crabs held on to win the game 10-2.

Alex Cobb picked up his third win of the season by pitching 5 innings and allowing 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 5 and walking 2. Brian Flores pitched 2 innings in relief surrendering 1 run on 1 hit with 1 strikeout and 2 walks. Matt Gorgen finished out the game with 2 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit an striking out 2. Ryan Searle was the losing pitcher for Daytona.

What Went Right: Emeel Salem; 3 for 3 scoring 3 runs and drawing 2 walks. Matt Fields; 3 for 5 with 3 RBI’s and a run scored. Shawn O’Malley; extended his hitting streak to 11 games with 2 hits tonight.

What Went Wrong: John Matulia; 0-5 with a K

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs head to the east coast for a four game series against the north division leading Brevard County Manatees (34-15). Jesse Darcy (0-5) is the scheduled starter for the Stone Crabs.