Stone Crabs Fall 3-1 to Rival Fort Myers

The Charlotte Stone Crabs dropped the first game of the second half of the season 3-1 to Fort Myers Miracle on Thursday night at Hammond Stadium. Fort Myers pitching held the Stone Crabs off the board until the ninth inning.

Fort Myers broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth inning. Drew Thompson doubled to center to get things going. Jonathan Goncalves then drew a walk. Estarlin De Los Santos drove home the run with a single to left, scoring Thompson and moving Goncalves to second. Brian Dozier then plated a run with a single to center, increasing the Miracle lead to 2-0.

Fort Myers added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth in a solo home run by Dozier to increase the lead to 3-0.

The Stone Crabs avoided the shut-out by picking up a run in the ninth inning. Michael Sheridan singled to center then advanced to third on a double by Reid Fronk. Isaias Velasquez drove home the run with a ground ball that scored Sheridan. But the Stone Crabs could not push across another run as they suffered a 3-1 loss.

Joe Cruz pitched a complete game, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits while striking out 4 and walking 1.

The two clubs are back at it on Friday night at Hammond Stadium. Frank De Los Santos (6-3, 4.22) will be on the mound for the Stone Crabs against Shooter Hunt (1-3, 6.45) for Fort Myers.