Print  Print © MLB Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved.


Charlotte sweeps twin bill, splits series
07/29/2011 12:28 AM ET
By Alex Perlman

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The Charlotte Stone Crabs took both games of Thursday's doubleheader by a 3-2 final score from the Brevard County Manatees at Charlotte Sports Park.

With the two wins, the Stone Crabs earn a split of the four game set with the Manatees.

Charlotte also now finds itself in sole possession of second place in the Florida State League South division standings, just a half-game behind the St. Lucie Mets.

The opener of the twin bill was dominated by strong pitching from Charlotte starter Kyle Lobstein and crafty base running.

Tyler Bortnick created a run in the first all by himself. The Charlotte second baseman walked with two outs and stole second base. When Bortnick took off for third, the pitch got behind Manatees catcher Sean McCray, which allowed Bortnick to cross the plate.

Brevard County tied things up with a two run Chuck Caufield double in the fifth.

But Bortnick came up clutch yet again to win the first game on the fifth. His bases loaded single plated two to put the Stone Crabs on top 3-1.

Lobstein (7-8) picked up the win, snapping a six game losing skid. The lefty tossed 5 1/3 strong frames, allowing just one run on five hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

Josh Satow worked around a Scooter Gennett solo home run in the seventh to earn his tenth save of the season.

Mark Rogers (0-2) was tagged with loss after allowing three runs - two earned - in four innings with three strikeouts and four walks.

The second game was just as tight as the night's first contest. Once again, the Stone Crabs drew first blood on Reid Fronk's second inning two out single to plate Omar Luna.

Shawn Zarraga provided the answer for Brevard County in the fourth with a lined single up the middle to knot the score at 1-1. Two batters later, Charlotte manager Jim Morrison took out starter C.J. Riefenhauser with the bases loaded and just one out.

Stone Crabs reliever Kirby Yates (1-0) got the call and hit the first batter he faced to force in a run, but the settled down. The righty worked 2 2/3 innings, striking out five batters without a walk to pick up his first win of the season.

Charlotte fought back with a run in the sixth on Anthony Scelfo's single to force a 2-2 tie and swing the momentum back to the Stone Crabs.

Ty Morrison provided the walk-off heroics in the seventh. With men on first and second, Morrison flared a single to left to plate Omar Luna and secure a sweep of the doubleheader.

Rolando Pasqual (0-2) picked up the loss after allowing the winning run to cross the plate in the bottom of the seventh.

The Stone Crabs open a series with the Tampa Yankees Friday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Righty Merrill Kelly (8-3) gets the nod for Charlotte. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.


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