The Charlotte Stone Crabs finished the first half of the 2019 season at 35-31, just four games behind the defending Florida State Champs, the Fort Myers Miracle. Now in the second half they hope to take over the top spot and make a push towards their first Division and League title since 2015.
They started on the right track after winning two of their first three games after the all star break against the Miracle.
Monday’s game was rained out which pushed both teams to play a double header on Wednesday, but they first went toe to toe with the Miracle on Tuesday and came away with a 2-0 victory.
On Wednesday, in the first of two, the Miracle took an early 3-0 lead after the second inning. The Stone Crabs battled back to tie the game at 3-3, before allowing the Miracle to walk them off with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning. (When teams play double headers, games are shortened).
Jim Haley at the 2019 Florida State ASG
In the second game of the day, Charlotte showed Fort Myers that the second half of the season will be much different as the Stone Crabs pitching staff dominated the Miracle batters allowing just one hit in seven innings. Actually starter Joe Ryan was on point, as he has been his last six starts, giving up just one earned run, while striking out 40 batters in 32 innings. On Wednesday, the San Anselmo, California native was very stingy again, allowing one hit in six innings, while striking out nine batters. Over his last 10 appearances, Ryan is 5-3, with a 1.94 ERA, and 76 strikeouts in 51 innings.
The offense scored five runs, led by All Star Jim Haley, who finished the game 3 for 4, with a run scored and two RBIs. In the doubleheader, Haley finished 5 for 9, with two runs scored and two RBIs.
The Stone Crabs are now 2-1, and trail the first place St. Lucie Mets (3-0) by just a game.
Next up are the Lakeland Flying Tigers (0-3) for a four game series, and then the Stone Crabs will host the Miracle for a three game set.
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