Four-Run Sixth Inning Fuels Hammerheads Win

JUPITER, Fla. - Casey Kotchman led Jupiter's offensive explosion with three hits in the Hammerheads' 7-2 win over the Charlotte Stone Crabs Thursday night at Roger Dean Stadium.

Kotchman - a 10-year big league veteran - now has a hit in each of his last five games with Jupiter, and is 10-for-21 (.476) with four RBI on his current rehab assignment. That includes an RBI double in Jupiter's four-run sixth inning Thursday night, his second run-scoring two-bagger in as many days.

After Wilfredo Gimenez put Jupiter on top with an RBI double of his own in the Hammerheads' three-run fifth, Kotchman, Yordy Cabrera and Noah Perio added run-scoring hits in the sixth. Cabrera's two-out single scored two when Stone Crabs' center fielder Kes Carter airmailed a throw into the seats behind the Hammerheads' dugout.

Six of the seven runs Jupiter scored were charged to Mario Fernandez, who yielded seven base runners in 2.2 innings. He relieved starter Grayson Garvin, who pitched three hitless innings - striking out four - in his second start with Charlotte since returning from elbow surgery last year.

Jose Urena hurled seven innings of four-hit ball for Jupiter, allowing just two runs. He struck out five, walked none and threw 58 of 88 pitches (65 percent) for strikes. Urena earned his 10th win of the season for his efforts, marking the first time a Hammerheads' starting pitcher has been credited with a victory since July 31.

In 90.2 innings at Roger Dean Stadium this season, Urena is 8-1 with a 1.99 ERA. He leads the team in wins (10), innings (137.1) and strikeouts (98). 

LHP Greg Nappo struck out five in two innings of relief for Jupiter, extending his scoreless innings streak to 16.1. The 24-year-old has allowed just two earned runs in his last 20 appearances dating back to June 5. 

Alfredo Lopez extended a unique streak of his own, going 1-for-4 with a double to give him at least one hit in 24 of his last 27 starts.

Brent Keys - the Florida State League leader in batting average (.352) and on-base percentage (.421) - went 0-for-4 from the leadoff spot, failing to reach base for just the second time in his last 39 games.

Now six games behind the first-place Mets in the second half of the Florida State League South Division standings, the Hammerheads will travel to St. Lucie Friday to kickoff a crucial three-game series. 

Down but not out, the Hammerheads will play eight of their remaining 16 games against first-place St. Lucie and second-place Charlotte.

RHP Scott Lyman (1-2, 6.08 ERA) will start for Jupiter in game one Friday night in St. Lucie. He'll be opposed by Mets' RHP Hansel Robles (5-2, 3.90 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Tradition Field.

For more information on the Jupiter Hammerheads, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Miami Marlins, please call (561) 775-1818 or visit JupiterHammerheads.com. For tickets and more information about Roger Dean Stadium, visit RogerDeanStadium.com.