Stone Crabs Swept by Fort Myers

The Charlotte Stone Crabs continue to struggle against the Fort Myers Miracle, losing 5-4 on Saturday night and suffering a sweep in the series. The Stone Crabs are now 5-7 on the year against the Miracle.

The Stone Crabs took an early lead in the fourth inning. Tim Beckham singled to left get things going. Stephen Vogt drove Beckham home with an RBI double to left. Vogt then scored on a double by Greg Sexton to take a 2-0 lead.

The Stone Crabs added another run to their total in the fifth inning. Isaias Velasquez reached on a force out, then moved into scoring position by stealing second base. Shawn O'Malley plated the run with a single to center to score Velasquez and increase the lead to 3-0.

But for the second night in a row, the Miracle used a big inning to win the game, striking for five runs in the sixth inning. Nick Romero was hit by a pitch, Chris Herrmann drew a walk and Evan Bigley singled to load the bases with no outs. Angel Morales drew a bases loaded walk to push across the first run. Then Jonathan Goncalves, Estarlin De Los Santos and Brian Dozier all picked up RBI's in the inning to take a 5-3 lead.

The Stone Crabs scored another run in the eighth inning. Velasquez led off the innings with a single to right. Velasquez advanced to second on a sac bunt by O'Malley. Gabe Kapler drove home the run with a single to center, scoring Velasquez. But the Stone Crabs could not produce anymore runs as they took a 5-4 loss.

Shane Dyer suffered the loss, pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing 5 runs on 9 hits with 4 strikeouts and 3 walks. Michael Jarman provided 1 2/3 innings of no-hit relief with 1 strikeout. Neil Scheck pitched the final inning, allowing a hit while striking out one.

The Stone Crabs (0-3) return home to Charlotte Sports Park hoping to put a stop to the three game skid. They begin a four game series against the Palm Beach Cardinals (2-1) on Sunday. Matt Moore (5-4, 5.13) will get the ball for the Stone Crabs facing Kevin Thomas (4-0, 4.75) of Palm Beach.