Claw Digest | News and information for the Charlotte Stone Crabs.

The Stone Crabs struggle continues as they lost a close game to the Jupiter Hammerheads 4-3 on Thursday night at Charlotte Sports Park. The Stone Crabs gave up two long balls on the night to Jupiter hitters and that was all that was needed to hand them their second loss of the series.

The Hammerheads took the lead in the second inning on a solo home run by Kyle Jensen to give them a 1-0 lead.

But the Stone Crabs answered with three runs in the bottom of the second. Mark Thomas doubled to center with one out to put a runner in scoring position. Mayo Acosta then reached on an error to give the Stone Crabs runners on the corners. Chris Murrill tied the game with an RBI single to left that scored Thomas. Matt Hall then knocked home the second run of the inning with a single to center. Murrill would later score on an RBI single by Hak-Ju Lee that gave the Stone Crabs a 3-1 lead.

Jupiter then posted a three run inning of their own in the fifth to retake the lead. Ernesto Manzanillio doubled to center to lead off the inning. Jose Duarte then drew a walk. Jeff Dominguez cleared the bases with a three run homer off Mike Jarman to give them a 4-3 lead.

The Stone Crabs could not collect any further runs through the final frames as they fell 4-3 to the Hammerheads.

Major Leaguer JP Howell pitched an inning to start the game as part of his rehab assignment, he allowed no hits while striking out one. The game also saw the 2011 debut of Kyle Lobstein who was just activated from the disabled list.

Jarman was charged with a blown save and the loss while Rob Rasmussen picked up the win for Jupiter.

The Stone Crabs look to avoid the sweep in the series finale against the Hammerheads on Friday night. Alex Colome is scheduled to start against Chad James.

Box Summary

Hitters

• Hak-Ju Lee (SS): 2 for 3 with an RBI.
• Tyler Bortnick (2B): 1 for 4 with a double.
• Brett Nommensen (RF): 1 for 4.
• Greg Sexton (3B): 0 for 4.
• Mark Thomas (C): 1 for 4 with a double and an run scored.
• Mike Sheridan (1B): 0 for 4.
• Mayo Acosta (DH): 0 for 4 with a run scored.
• Chris Murrill (CF): 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.
• Matt Hall (LF): 1 for 2 with an RBI.
• Anthony Scelfo (PH-LF): 1 for 1.

Pitchers

• JP Howell: 1 no-hit inning with a strikeout.
• Kyle Lobstein: 3 runs on 3 hits with a strikeout and 2 walks in 3 2/3 innings.
• Mike Jarman (Loss, 1-2): 1 run on 3 hits with 3 strikeouts and a walk in 2 1/3 innings.
• Deivis Mavarez: 2 shut-out innings with 2 hits, 2 strikeouts and 3 walks.

The Stone Crabs dropped the series opener to the Jupiter Hammerheads 6-2 on Wednesday night at Charlotte Sports Park. Despite a close game most of the night, the Stone Crabs gave up four runs in the top of the ninth to suffer the loss. Greg Sexton failed to get a hit on the night, ending his hitting streak at twelve games. That now leaves Hak-Ju Lee with the longest active hitting streak that was extended to ten games tonight.

Jupiter took the lead in the third inning. Taylor Krick doubled to right with two outs to put a runner in scoring position. Krick then scored on a double by Jose Duarte to give the Hammerheads a 1-0 lead.

The Stone Crabs wasted no time tying the game as they posted a run of their own in the bottom half of the third. Hak-Ju Lee and Tyler Bortnick got things going with back to back singles. Brett Nommensen drove home Lee with a double to left that tied the game 1-1.

Jupiter regained the lead in the top of the sixth. Jeremy Synan was hit by a pitch. Synan then advanced to second on a wild pitch and later scored on an RBI single by Kyle Jensen to give them a 2-1 lead.

The Stone Crabs battled back to tie the game in the eighth inning. Dustin Biell reached on an error to lead off the inning. Lee advanced Biell to third with a bunt single to third. Bortnick drove home the tying run with a ground ball to second that tied the game 2-2.

But the Hammerhead posted four runs in the ninth inning to secure the win. RBI singles by Daniel Pertusati and Krick followed by a two run homer by Duarte handed the Stone Crabs the 6-2 loss in the series opener.

Scott Shuman was charged with the loss while Ramon Benjamin recorded the win for Jupiter.

These two clubs are back on the field tomorrow night with the middle game of the series. Alex Colome is scheduled to start against Rob Rasmussen.

Box Summary

Hitters

• Hak-Ju Lee (SS): 2 for 4 with a run scored.
• Tyler Bortnick (2B): 1 for 4.
• Brett Nommensen (RF): 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
• Greg Sexton (3B): 0 for 4.
• Mike Sheridan (1B): 2 for 4.
• Mark Thomas (DH): 0 for 4.
• Mayo Acosta (C): 0 for 4.
• Chris Murrill (LF): 0 for 3.
• Dustin Biell (CF): 0 for 3 with a run scored.

Pitchers

• Jake Thompson: 2 no-hit innings with 1 strikeouts.
• Adam Liberatore: 2 runs on 4 hits with 2 strikeouts in 4 innings.
• Josh Satow: no runs on 1 hit with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks in 2 innings.
• Scott Shuman (Loss, 0-1): 4 runs on 3 hits with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks in 1 inning.