Eighth inning costs Stone Crabs in 6-4 loss to Miracle

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 6, 2018) - Nate Lowe reached base five times, but the Charlotte Stone Crabs allowed two runs in the bottom of the eighth to drop the second game of the series 6-4 to the Fort Myers Miracle Friday night at Hammond Stadium.
Lowe is now 5-for-7 with a double, two RBI and two walks to begin the season. Peter Maris and Josh Lowe also reached base three times for Charlotte (0-2).
However, the bottom of the eighth proved to be the difference. With the game tied at four, Stone Crabs reliever Deivy Mendez (0-1) issued a leadoff walk to Caleb Hamilton. After striking out Lewin Diaz, Jaylin Davis lined a double to the gap in left center to score Hamilton and give Fort Myers (2-0) a 5-4 lead. With Davis at third and two outs, Mendez issued a wild pitch to allow Davis to score and make it 6-4.
For the second straight night, the Stone Crabs scored first and surrendered two leads. In the top of the first, Maris stroked a double to the wall in right center before Nate Lowe singled to center to give the Stone Crabs a 1-0 lead.
After a pair of solo homers gave Fort Myers a 3-1 lead, Charlotte battled back in the top of the fifth. David Olmedo-Barrera started the inning by cranking a triple off the wall in center before scoring on a groundout to make it 3-2. Two batters later, Josh Lowe and Maris both singled with two outs. After a Nate Lowe walk loaded the bases, Kevin Padlo drilled a single to right to bring home two and give the Stone Crabs a 4-3 lead.
However, a Charlotte fielding error with two outs in the bottom of the sixth allowed the tying run to score before the decisive eighth inning sealed things.
The Stone Crabs will open play at Charlotte Sports Park against the Miracle at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday. Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. for a fan fest in honor of the Stone Crabs' tenth season. Kenny Rosenberg makes the start for Charlotte against Charlie Barnes of Fort Myers. Coverage begins at 5:50 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.