Charlotte Stone Crabs fall to Sarasota 4-1

The Game: The Charlotte Stone Crabs fell to the Sarasota Reds 4-1 on Saturday night at Charlotte Sports Park. The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when Sarasota pushed across two runs. Justin Reed and Alex Buchholz led off the inning with back to back singles. Then Neftali Soto reached on an error by Matt Hall on a misplayed double play ball that loaded the bases for Sarasota. Denis Phipps singled to right to score Reed. Then Kyle Day hit a sac fly to center to score Buchholz and give the Reds a 2-0 lead.

Sarasota added to their lead in the top of the sixth inning. Alex Buchholz led of the inning by drawing a walk. Denis Phipps followed with a two run home run to increase the Sarasota lead 4-0.

The Stone Crabs scored their only run of the night in the eighth inning. Emeel Salem singled to short to lead off the inning. John Matulia later followed with a single to right, moving Salem to second. Shawn Williams drew a walk to load the bases. Greg Sexton followed by also drawing a two out bases loaded walk that score Salem. The Stone Crabs left them loaded as Matt Sweeney grounded out to end the inning and the Stone Crabs fell to the Reds 4-1.

Mitch Talbot pitched 3 scoreless innings in a rehab appearance, allowing 1 hit while striking out 6. Brian Flores suffered the loss, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 4 hits with 4 strikeouts and a walk in 3 innings pitched. Jesse Darcy pitched 2 innings and allowed 2 hits and struck out 2. Kevin Boggan pitched a no-hit ninth inning with a strikeout. Curtis Partch was the winning pitcher for Sarasota.

What Went Right: Mitch Talbot; pitched 3 shut-out innings and struck out 6 during his rehab outing.

What Went Wrong: Mike McCormick; 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts, average dropped to .170 on the year.

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs will close out their inaugural season against the Sarasota Reds on Sunday at Charlotte Sports Park. While the Stone Crabs will continue play into the FSL playoffs, this game will mark the final game of the Sarasota Reds franchise. Jake McGee (0-2) will be on the mound against Matt Fairel (2-3).