Charlotte Stone Crabs drop game one of FSL Championship Series against Tampa

The Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs dropped game one of the FSL Championship Series against the Tampa Yankees 5-2 on Saturday night at Steinbrenner Field. After sitting through a thirty minute rain delay, the teams were able to take the field and get the series started.

Tampa took the lead in the second inning. Kevin Smith drew two out walk to get things going. Luis Nunez followed with an RBI double to score Smith. Nunez later scored on a single by Jack Rye to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

The Stone Crabs cut the lead in half in the top of the fifth by the way of three consecutive singles. John Matulia and Nevin Ashley singled to put runner aboard first and third. Reid Fronk followed with an RBI single to score Matulia and put the Stone Crabs within one run of the lead.

But Tampa matched runs in the home half of the inning. Walter Ibarra reached base on a force out and then later stole second to move into scoring position. Daniel Brewer followed with an RBI single to left that scored Ibarra and increased the Tampa lead to 3-1.

The Stone Crabs kept trying to claw their way back, posting another run in the sixth. Drew Anderson and Greg Sexton led off the inning with back to back singles. Henry Wrigley hit into a double play but scored Anderson to put Charlotte within one run of the lead again.

The Yankees added two more insurance runs, one in the seventh and another in the eighth, to ensure the win. Daniel Brewer struck an RBI single in the seventh to score Luis Nunez. The in the eighth it was an single to left that scored Austin Romine and gave the Yankees the 5-2 margin of victory.

Jake McGee suffered the loss, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits with 3 strikeouts and a walk in 2 innings on the mound. Jesse Darcy followed with 4 innings and allowed 1 run on 5 hits with a walk. Tommy Rafferty pitched the final 2 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits. Hector Noesi collected the win for Tampa.

What Went Right: Drew Anderson; 2 for 4 with a run scored. Greg Sexton; also 2 for 4 on the night.

What Went Wrong: Matt Hall; 0 for 3 with 2 K’s, now hitting 0.67 in the postseason.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs and Yankees face off in game two on Sunday night at Steinbrenner Field. The Stone Crabs trail the Yankees 0-1 in the best of five Championship Series. Brian Flores is scheduled to pitch for Charlotte.