TAMPA, Fla. (May 31, 2017) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs bullpen went four shutout innings to earn a 5-4 win over the Tampa Yankees Wednesday at Steinbrenner Field.Stone Crabs (24-26) relievers Joe Serrapica and Drew Smith combined to allow only two hits over four spotless innings, striking out three batters
TAMPA, Fla. (May 31, 2017) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs bullpen went four shutout innings to earn a 5-4 win over the Tampa Yankees Wednesday at Steinbrenner Field.
Stone Crabs (24-26) relievers Joe Serrapica and Drew Smith combined to allow only two hits over four spotless innings, striking out three batters each. Smith earned his third save of the season, while Serrapica extended his scoreless innings streak to 9.1 frames.
After Tampa (27-26) designated hitter Trey Amburgey gave the Yankees an early lead with a three-run homer in the first, the Stone Crabs battled back for their largest comeback win of the season.
Down by three in the top of the third, Charlotte left fielder David Olmedo-Barrera tripled to center against Yankees starter Albert Abreu (0-3). Two batters later, Thomas Milone doubled to left to get the Stone Crabs on the board. After Brad Miller walked, Jake Cronenworth singled to right to score Milone and trim the Tampa lead to 3-2.
Still down by one in the fourth, Stone Crabs catcher David Rodríguez doubled to the gap before Dalton Kelly stroked a two-bagger to deep center to tie the game at three. Two batters later, Jim Haley lined a double to the right field corner to give Charlotte a 4-3 lead. Milone followed with a single to left extend the Stone Crabs' lead to 5-3.
The Yankees added a run in the sixth, which was charged to Stone Crabs' starter Travis Ott (1-0). Ott went five-plus innings, allowing only two hits to earn his first win at the High-A level.
The Stone Crabs and Yankees will meet again Thursday at 7 p.m. Taylor Hawkins (1-3, 6.43) will take the ball for Charlotte against Brody Koerner (0-0, 0.00) of Tampa. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.
