Charlotte Stone Crabs lose to Daytona Cubs in extra innings

The Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs continue to struggle as they lost their fifth game in a row Thursday night. The Stone Crabs fell to the Daytona Cubs 2-1 in extra innings at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

The Stone Crabs broke the scoreless tie in the sixth inning. Shawn O’Malley led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on a single by Reid Fronk. O’Malley charged home on a ground ball by Shawn Williams but was called out at the plate by the home plate umpire. John Matulia then drove home Fronk as the result of a error by Daytona shortstop Starlin Castro and the Stone Crabs took a 1-0 lead.

The Cubs tied the game in the eighth with the assist of Stone Crabs pitching putting two runners aboard. Luis Flores got the first free by drawing a walk and Jericho Jones followed by getting hit by a pitch to give the Cubs runners at first and second. Jonathan Wyatt advanced the runners along the base path with a sac bunt, putting both runners in scoring position. Tony Campana drove home the tying run with a ground ball to second that scored Flores and ties the game at 1.

The tie held strong until the bottom of the twelfth inning. Jonathan Wyatt singled to start the inning and then advanced to second on a sac bunt by Tony Campana and to third on a ground out by Starlin Castro. Then it was Brandon Guyer’s single to right that scored Wyatt and gave the Cubs a 2-1 extra inning victory.

Jake McGee started for the Stone Crabs, pitching 3 scoreless innings and allowed 1 hit while striking out 2. Brian Flores came on in relief, throwing 4 2/3 innings and allowing 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 3 and walking 1. Austin Hinkle suffered the loss by going 4 innings and allowing 1 run on 4 hits while striking out and walking 4. Henry Williamson was the winning pitcher for the Cubs.

What Went Right: Shawn O’Malley; 2 for 5 with a walk, only Stone Crab with multiple hits.

What Went Wrong: Ryan Royster; 0 for 5 with 4 K’s.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs and Cubs face off for game two of the series on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Darin Downs (11-4) is scheduled to pitch against Ryan Searle (6-7).