Padlo's homer sinks Hammerheads

JUPITER, Fla. (July 16, 2017) - Kevin Padlo's two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning gave the Charlotte Stone Crabs their first and only lead of the game in a 3-1 win over the Jupiter Hammerheads Sunday at Roger Dean Stadium.
The clutch home run was Padlo's first since May 2. He missed more than two months of the season with a hand injury.  
With the Stone Crabs (42-47, 10-10) trailing 1-0 entering the eighth, Brandon Lowe reached on an infield hit before Brett Sullivan singled him to third. Ryan Boldt followed with a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game at one. That set the stage for Padlo, who pulled a Tyler Kinley (1-1) pitch over the wall in left.
The Stone Crabs' pitching staff did not allow an earned run on the day. Starter Travis Ott struck out six over five innings of one-run ball, allowing only two hits and two walks. Reece Karalus (2-0) put up zeroes in the sixth and seventh to earn the win. Left-hander Dalton Moats struck out two while allowing a hit and a walk to earn his sixth save.
Despite ranking last in the Florida State League in ERA, WHIP and strikeouts, Charlotte's pitching staff has allowed only two runs on 12 hits while striking out 17 in the first two games of the series.
Sunday's win lifts Charlotte past the Hammerheads (45-46, 12-11) in the second half standings, pulling the Stone Crabs within two games of second place.
Charlotte will go for the sweep of the series Monday night at 6:30 p.m. Brandon Lawson (2-2, 5.36) makes the start for the Crabs, against Scott Squier (2-6, 4.04) of Jupiter. Coverage begins at 6:15 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.