Six-run sixth propels Stone Crabs past Mets

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 22, 2017) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs rallied for six runs on seven hits in the sixth inning Tuesday to beat the St. Lucie Mets 6-3 at Charlotte Sports Park.
Charlotte (64-61, 33-24) connected on seven straight hits to start the inning to take the decisive lead on St. Lucie (57-69, 24-34). Trailing 2-0, David Rodríguez and Lucius Fox both singled up the middle before Michael Brosseau pulled a base hit into left to load the bases. Ryan Boldt followed with a liner to center to knock out Mets starter Nabil Crismatt (4-13), making the score 2-1.
With reliever Johnny Magliozzi in to pitch, Granden Goetzman knocked a two-run double down the left field line to plate a pair and give Charlotte a 3-2 lead. The next batter was Peter Maris , who lined a single to right to score Boldt and make the count 4-2. With runners at the corners, Kevin Padlo scorched a triple to the wall in left center to score both runners and give the Stone Crabs a 6-2 lead.
Charlotte starter Eduar Lopez (9-7) turned in his seventh quality start in his last eight games, allowing two unearned runs over six innings while striking out five. Lopez has worked to a 0.53 ERA over his last five starts, striking out 23 and walking only three (0.80 WHIP).
Travis Ott went three innings to earn the save, striking out four and allowing only one hit.
With first-place Fort Myers losing Tuesday, the Stone Crabs are now four games behind the Miracle with 13 games left to play for the second half title in the FSL South.
The Stone Crabs will look to win the series over St. Lucie Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. Michael Velasquez (2-7, 5.14) makes the start for Charlotte against Harol Gonzalez (High-A debut) of the Mets. Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.