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Charlotte loses marathon game, 5-4
05/05/2011 1:06 AM ET
By Grant McAuley

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Charlotte Stone Crabs had a chance to claim a victory in the regulation nine innings on Wednesday, but the Jupiter Hammerheads had other ideas. Jupiter overcame two Charlotte leads to force extra-innings, where they took a 5-4 win on a throwing error in the bottom of the 16th inning.

A battle of the bullpens began in the seventh inning. With the game knotted at 3-3, the Stone Crabs scored the go-ahead run on second baseman Dallas Poulk's seventh inning fielding error. That miscue gave Charlotte a 4-3 advantage and may have foreshadowed what was to come in extras, when an error would provide Jupiter its first and only lead.

The Hammerheads tied the game in the ninth inning against Josh Satow. Chase Austin's lead-off double was followed by a sacrifice bunt form pinch-hitter Danny Pertusati. Taylor Krick delivered a game-tying single that sent the game to extra frames tied 4-4.

Once there, each team had countless opportunities to score. Perhaps the best chance for Charlotte came in the 11th inning, when Austin's diving play at third base helped Jupiter escape a bases-loaded threat.

Jupiter mounted the game-winning rally off Charlotte reliever Deivis Mavarez (1-2) in the 16th inning. Krick reached on an infield single and departed in favor of pinch-runner Miguel Fermin.

After a sacrifice moved Fermin to second, Jeff Dominguez drew a one-out walk. Jeremy Synan's grounder to shortstop Hak-Ju Lee was shoveled to Tyler Bortnick for the force out at second, but his relay throw sailed over first base and allowed Fermin to score the winning run on the error.

Charlotte starter Alex Colome departed in line for the win. He worked six innings and allowed three runs on four hits, walking four while striking out six. Though not as sharp as his previous start against Jupiter, Colome carried a shut-out into the sixth. That bid was spoiled when Kyle Jensen belted a game-tying, three-run homer in the sixth.

Jose Rosario (2-1) picked up the win in relief for Jupiter after working three scoreless innings.

This series concludes on Thursday as the Stone Crabs and Hammerheads meet for an early morning contest. Drew Leary (0-0) will make a spot start for Charlotte against Jose Alvarez (2-1) for Jupiter. First pitch is set for 10:30 a.m.


This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.