Stone Crabs drop finale in Clearwater 2-1

CLEARWATER, Fla. (July 28, 2019) - The Stone Crabs' sixth inning rally fell one hit short Sunday, in a 2-1 loss to the Clearwater Threshers at Spectrum Field.
With Charlotte (63-42, 28-11) trailing 2-0 in the top of the sixth, Jermaine Palacios and Kevin Kiermaier both reached base. With one out, Michael Smith lined a single into right to score Palacios and make it 2-1. After a fielder's choice cut down Kiermaier at home, Connor Hollis walked to load the bases. After a pitching change, Garrett Whitley struck out to end the threat.
The Clearwater bullpen did the rest, striking out four over three scoreless innings. Tyler Carr went the final two innings to get the save. Before their sixth inning threat, the Stone Crabs managed just three hits over five innings against Threshers starter Alejandro Requena (7-8). Requena fanned six and walked two.
Stone Crabs starter Tommy Romero (9-3) went five innings, allowing two runs on seven hits.
Clearwater took the lead in the first on a Madison Stokes single, before extending it in the third with a Nick Maton sacrifice fly.
Charlotte lefty Cristopher Sanchez put up three zeroes in relief, striking out five batters while allowing just one hit.
The Stone Crabs will enjoy a day off on Monday before returning to action at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Bradenton. Coverage of the game will start at 6:15 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.