Jupiter Falls Short In Series Finale

 

JUPITER, Fla. - The Jupiter Hammerheads came up just short on Wednesday night in a 3-2 loss to the Charlotte Stone Crabs at Roger Dean Stadium. The Hammerheads took the first two games in the series to clinch their first series victory of the season, but could not complete the sweep of division-leading Charlotte.

The Charlotte Stone Crabs (17-10) were able to break the scoreless tie first with two runs in the top of the fourth inning. The Stone Crabs were able to put two runs up in the inning, more than they scored in the first two games of the series combined. Jupiter's pitching and defense had limited the best hitting team in the league to just one run in 21 innings of play before the fourth inning Wednesday night.

Willy Adames lead the inning off with a single, which was followed with a double from Jake Bauers and a walk from Marty Gantt to load the bases. Maxx Tisenbaum then drew a bases-loaded walk to push the first run across. Armando Araiza picked up the second RBI of the inning with a one-out single to score Bauers and give the Stone Crabs a 2-0 advantage.

The Hammerheads followed with an answer in the home half. Brian Anderson singled to lead off the frame, and then Felix Munoz walked to put two runners on the base path for Jupiter. Avery Romero was able to follow with a single to deep left field that allowed Anderson to score, cutting the Charlotte advantage to just one after four full innings.

The fifth inning was silent for both teams. Jupiter was able to tie the game at two as Yelich came to cross the dish in the bottom of the sixth. Yelich used a lead-off single to reach the bases, then a Anderson single and Munoz groundout to score and knot the game.

Charlotte then decided to answer Jupiter in its next at-bat in the top of the seventh. Braxton Lee led the inning off with a single then stole second base to move into scoring position. Adames notched the game-winning RBI with a two-out single up the middle.

Steve Ascher (2-0) was the winning pitcher for the Stone Crabs, while Esmerling De La Rosa (0-2) took the loss for the Hammerheads. Brad Schreiber also picked up a save for Charlotte, his seventh of the season.

Jupiter starter, Alex Burgos did not receive a decision in his first start of 2015, replacing scheduled starter, Ryan Newell who was placed of the disabled list. Burgos pitched three innings, giving up four hits with no runs, walks, or strikeouts.

The Hammerheads will now travel to Fort Meyers for a three-game series with the Miracle on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Jupiter returns to Roger Dean Stadium on Monday night, May 11, at 6:35 p.m. against the Lakeland Tigers. To purchase tickets, please call (561) 630-1828 or visit RogerDeanStadium.com.