TAMPA, Fla. -- Charlotte (11-11) opened the game with six unanswered runs and went on to defeat the Tampa Tarpons (12-10), 10-4, to even the series on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.Nathaniel Lowe paced the Stone Crabs with his first career multi-homer game, going 4-for-5 with a double,
TAMPA, Fla. -- Charlotte (11-11) opened the game with six unanswered runs and went on to defeat the Tampa Tarpons (12-10), 10-4, to even the series on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Nathaniel Lowe paced the Stone Crabs with his first career multi-homer game, going 4-for-5 with a double, six runs batted in and three runs scored. Charlotte tallied 15 hits in total.
Tampa starter Michael King needed 34 pitches to escape the first inning. Josh Lowe singled and scored on a base hit by his brother, Nate. Peter Maris followed with a single, advancing Lowe to second. A ground-rule double by David Rodríguez put the Stone Crabs up, 2-0.
Kevin Padlo reached on a bobble by shortstop Diego Castillo to begin the second. One out later, Lucius Fox singled and Josh Lowe hit a ground-rule double, scoring Padlo. A groundout by Robbie Tenerowicz plated Fox before Nate Lowe bashed a two-run home run to right, putting Charlotte up, 6-0.
King (L, 0-1) bounced back with a perfect third before leaving the game. The right-hander surrendered six runs (two earned) on seven hits in three innings, striking out three while walking none. King threw 47 of 74 pitches for strikes.
The Tarpons got a run back in the second when Timmy Robinson walked and scored on a triple by Angel Aguilar off the left field wall. Aguilar is now tied for the league lead with three triples this season.
Charlotte starter Willy Ortiz (W, 3-0) held Tampa to one earned run on three hits in five innings, walking four while striking out five. The righty threw 49 of 86 pitches for strikes.
RHP Christian Morris relieved King in the fourth and the Stone Crabs tacked on a run when Fox singled and later scored on a ground-rule double by Nate Lowe. Tristan Gray added another with a solo home run in the fifth. Josh Lowe then singled to begin the sixth and later scored when Nate Lowe lined his second two-run homer of the game over the right field wall.
Tampa chipped away with a run in the sixth when Alexander Palma walked and scored on a blooper to center by Aguilar. Estevan Florial drew a leadoff walk in the seventh and scored when Brandon Wagner blasted a two-run shot to right, tying him for the league lead with seven home runs.
LHP Trevor Lane and RHP David Sosebee combined to tally seven strikeouts while holding the Stone Crabs to two hits over the final three and a third innings.
The series continues on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. when RHP Nick Green (3-0, 0.53) makes the start for Tampa against southpaw Brock Burke (1-2, 7.31). Live play-by-play audio will be available on the Tarpons Radio Network. On "Salute to Service Members Saturday," all military receive a FREE upper reserved ticket with valid I.D. Also, select Tarpons players will be signing autographs on the concourse from 5:40-6:00 p.m.
Pepsi Cola Little League Weekend begins on Friday. Come in your Little League uniform and get in free. Stick around after the game for a Wiffle Ball bat and ball giveaway and postgame fireworks.
