PORT ST. LUCIE —  St. Lucie starter Matthew Bowman kept the Charlotte Stone Crabs in check for six shutout  innings as the Mets won 3-0 on Monday at Tradition Field. Bowman (4-0, 2.25 ERA) struck out eight and walked one … Find out how to read more online.

The journey back from injury drives Marc Essig. The 35-year-old Englewood resident recovered from a devastating spinal injury in 2011 to regularly compete in paddleboard, ultra marathon and Ironman events. Essig injured three discs in his lower back moving boxes, … Find out how to read more online.

ST. PETERSBURG — Alfredo Aceves threw six solid innings, Daniel Nava homered and the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 on Wednesday night. Aceves (3-1), recalled before the game from Triple-A Pawtucket, allowed one run, … Find out how to read more online.

Former Port Charlotte High School wrestling coach Ray Montero was remembered as a “fun-loving guy” by his contemporaries at the school on Tuesday after his death in an automobile accident over the weekend. Montero coached the Pirates during the 2009-10 … Find out how to read more online.

PORT CHARLOTTE — Jacob Partridge hadn’t had a commanding outing for the Charlotte Stone Crabs in a while. But the team needed one from him on Tuesday, and he delivered. Eliazer Suero made the spot start against Tampa, with Parker … Find out how to read more online.

The fight over a specific fishing style used to catch Boca Grande Pass tarpon will reach a critical point today in Lakeland, as state fisheries officials decide whether to approve a draft rule that would outlaw the use of the … Find out how to read more online.

MIAMI (AP) — Two men accused of poaching almost 500 spiny lobsters out of season were arrested and charged in Miami-Dade County with multiple misdemeanor charges, wildlife officials said Friday. Javiel Vergel, 37, and Eriel Casana Menendez, 39, were arrested … Find out how to read more online.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Cleanup work has ended in three of the states affected by BP PLC’s massive 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the company said Monday. The London-based oil giant said the Coast Guard has concluded … Find out how to read more online.

PORT CHARLOTTE — Ryan Carpenter’s night could have been a short one on Monday. But after a rough first inning, the Stone Crabs’ right-hander kept right on pitching and turned the game into a long night for the Yankees. Charlotte … Find out how to read more online.

PORT CHARLOTTE — Jake Hager hurried to dive for a ground ball in the first inning against Palm Beach on Sunday, confident he could make a play. When he hit the ground, he stopped the ball — but his left … Find out how to read more online.

PARIS — Right now, French Open champions Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams are as good as it gets in tennis. The next time we see them competing, though, at Wimbledon in two weeks, Nadal will be merely a serious contender, … Find out how to read more online.

Chale Mcleod needed an outlet after the end of the high school track season. Mcleod, who competed for Port Charlotte High School, found it with the Englewood Elite Track Club. Six weeks ago he joined the first-year club under the … Find out how to read more online.

At 17, Nick Longhi has a tough choice to make, the decision of a lifetime. We should all be so fortunate. The Venice High School senior was selected Saturday in MLB’s first-year player draft by the Boston Red Sox, who … Find out how to read more online.

PORT CHARLOTTE — The next time Charlotte’s Jesse Hahn takes the mound, he could find himself eligible for the first win of his All-Star season. Hahn’s slow stretching of his post-surgery right arm continued Saturday with another stellar four-inning outing. … Find out how to read more online.

PORT CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Stone Crabs shortstop Jake Hager displaced his left shoulder when he dived to stop a hard grounder by Alex Mejia in the first inning Saturday. After the dive, Hager stayed down in shallow center field, and … Find out how to read more online.