Lakeland evens series with 3-0 win over Charlotte

[Game recap provided by Stone Crabs broadcaster Grant McAuley]

The Lakeland Flying Tigers got another stellar pitching performance to grab a 3-0 win over the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Tuesday night at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Luke Putkonen (2-2) tossed six scoreless innings to give Lakeland their second straight night of stellar starting pitching. Unlike Charlie Furbush a night ago, Putkonen’s work would not go unrewarded. The righty allowed three hits and three walks while striking out three to pick up the win.

The Flying Tigers have shown the kind of pitching that has them sitting at the top of the Florida State League in ERA. Putkonen’s six shut-out frames along with three more scoreless innings from Lakeland relievers lowered the team’s ERA to 2.78 on the season.

Left-hander Matt Moore (0-4) pitched six innings for the first time this season, but a pair of lead-off walks cost him a run in both the third and seventh innings. The lefty allowed three runs on five hits and struck out seven men in taking the loss.

Moore combined with Neil Schenk to notch 12 strikeouts on the night, the 15th time this season in which Charlotte hurlers have struck out 10 or more opposing hitters. The team’s record in games in which that happens, however, is just 6-9.

The Stone Crabs managed just three hits on the night, their lowest total this season, and were shut-out for just the second time in 2010.

The loss will not cost the Stone Crabs (17-13) any games on the first place Palm Beach Cardinals, who were likewise shut-out on Tuesday. Charlotte remains a game behind the Cards, but are now in third place as the Bradenton Marauders trail by just a half a game.

Charlotte will send righty Nick Barnese (3-1) to the mound on Wednesday as they attempt to get back in the win column. Lakeland will counter with right-hander Mark Sorensen (2-3). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.