Stone Crabs win eighth straight, defeat Frogs 2-1

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 10, 2019) - Tommy Romero fanned seven and the Charlotte Stone Crabs scratched across just enough offense to earn their eighth straight win Wednesday, a 2-1 victory over the Florida Fire Frogs at Osceola County Stadium.
Wednesday's win extends the Stone Crabs' (52-35, 17-4) winning streak to eight games, their longest of the season. Charlotte has begun the second half with a 17-4 record, the best mark of the 90 Minor League clubs that play a split season format.
Romero (8-2) earned his sixth consecutive win, allowing just one run on three hits over 5.2 innings. The Florida native has worked to a 0.79 ERA over his last six outings.
Left-hander Trey Cumbie turned in 2.1 scoreless innings as the Charlotte opener, surrendering just one hit while striking out one. Chandler Raiden struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to notch his seventh save.
The Stone Crabs got the scoring going in the top of the first against Florida (30-57, 5-16) starter Nolan Kingham (4-7). With one out, Wander Franco singled to center before Ronaldo Hernandez punched a base hit to right. With men at the corners, Jim Haley beat out a potential double play to chase home Franco and make it 1-0.
Still leading by that margin in the top of the fifth, Jake Palomaki pulled a one-out single into right. After he stole second base, Michael Smith slashed a base hit into left center to give Charlotte a 2-0 lead.
In the seventh, the Fire Frogs cut the deficit in half on a Drew Lugbauer homer, but the Stone Crabs' pitching staff retired the next seven batters in a row.
Charlotte will go for a four-game sweep at noon on Thursday. Michael Plassmeyer (3-2, 2.38) is scheduled to make the start for the Crabs, against Brooks Wilson (1-1, 1.56) of Florida. Coverage starts at 11:45 a.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.