Stone Crabs roll over Miracle, 11-5

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A big night at the plate from Greg Sexton helped the Charlotte Stone Crabs get back in the win column in an 11-6 victory over the Fort Myers Miracle on Monday at Hammond Stadium.

Sexton set a single-game franchise record with six RBI's while extending his team-high hitting streak to 11-games with a 2-for-4 performance. His bases-clearing double in the first inning paved the way for Charlotte to snap a four-game losing skid. Sexton has now hit safely in 16-of-17 games played in this season.

The start of the game was marred by a rain delay of just over an hour, but the Stone Crabs offense was ready to roll when the tarp came off. Charlotte scored four times in the first, capped by Sexton's three-run double, and added four more runs in the second inning to build a commanding 8-0 advantage.

Miracle pitchers contributed to the Stone Crabs cause by issuing seven walks in addition to the 10 hits allowed. Not only were the walks in abundance, but Fort Myers pitchers uncorked seven wild pitches and fell just one shy of tying the Florida State League record.

Chris Andujar started for Charlotte but was unable to survive the five innings needed for the win. Instead, Merrill Kelly made his first relief appearance of the season and earned his first victory with 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Kelly combined with Scott Shuman and Josh Satow to limit the Miracle offense to just one hit over the final 4 1/3 innings of the night.

Stone Crabs shortstop Hak-Ju Lee extended a hitting streak by going 2-for-5 and scoring a pair of runs. Lee's streak has reached eight games.

The series concludes on Tuesday as the Stone Crabs look to win back-to-back games and take 2-of-3 from the Miracle in the process. Alex Koronis (1-0) will take the ball for Charlotte. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.