Hammerheads Slip 4-2
JUPITER, Fla. - The Jupiter Hammerheads fell to the Charlotte Stone Crabs 4-2 on Friday night at Roger Dean Stadium in Florida State League action. The Hammerheads went 1 for 4 with runners in scoring position and left just three runners stranded.
Jupiter (63-69) was able to get on the board first Friday and taking an early 2-0 lead through two innings. The Hammerheads plated their first run in the first inning with Yefri Perez. Perez reached on a single then stole his 67th base to move to second. He then moved to third on a ground out before being driven in by Austin Dean, who singled to left field. The final Jupiter run was manufactured in the second inning after back-to-back singles from Blake Barber and James Roberts along with a sacrifice fly. Chris Hoo recorded the RBI with the sacrifice that scored Barber.
Charlotte (66-62) cut the lead to one with a run in the fifth inning. Braxton Lee and Pat Blair hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. A wild throw then allowed Lee to move to third. Maxx Tissenbaum then collected the first RBI with a fielder's choice.
The Stone Crabs were then able to add two more runs in the sixth to take their first lead of the game. The rally started when Jace Conrad reached on a walk then was moved to second on a single from Justin Williams. Conrad and Williams then committed a double-steal to move both into scoring position. Yoel Araujo then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Conrad and Williams was able to score on a throw from the right fielder that went out of play.
The final Charlotte run was scored in the ninth inning after back-to-back singles and a sacrifice bunt.
German Marquez (7-12) was the winning pitcher for Charlotte. Marquez pitched eight full innings and gave up two earned runs on five hits with only one walk and six strikeouts. Jordan Harrison earned his first save of the season for finishing the game and only allowing one hit with one strikeout in his ninth-inning performance. Jeff Brigham (2-2) took the loss for Jupiter. Brigham tossed six innings, allowing three runs, just one earned, on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Tyler Kinley pitched two strong innings in relief and allowed just two hits while fanning two batters as well. Chris Mazza pitched the ninth for Jupiter and allowed one run on two hits with a strikeout.
The Jupiter Hammerheads and Charlotte Stone Crabs return to Roger Dean Stadium on Saturday night at 5:35 p.m. when they suit up for the series finale. To purchase tickets, please call (561) 630-1828 or visit RogerDeanStadium.com. Also follow the Jupiter Hammerheads on Facebook and Twitter (@GoHammerheads) for updates and news around the ballpark.