Mendez hits Vero Beach up for six RBIs

Victor Mendez homered and drove in six runs to lead Lakeland to an 11-2 victory over visiting Vero Beach on Wednesday.

Mendez hit a grand slam in the third inning to give the Tigers (27-19) a 6-0 lead and capped a five-run fourth with a two-run single. Garth McKinney smacked a two-run homer to open the scoring for Lakeland in the third. In the fourth, Wilkin Ramirez had a sacrifice fly and Brent Dlugach delivered a two-run double.

Dallas Trahern (3-6) gave up three hits, walked one and struck out five in seven scoreless innings for the win.

Ryan Russ had two hits and an RBI in the eighth for Vero Beach (17-29), which has lost two straight following a three-game winning streak. Jamie Hoffmann singled home Russ for the Dodgers' other run.

Vero Beach starter Alberto Bastardo (1-1) lasted just 2 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on six hits and four walks while striking out five.