Justin Crawford had three hits, scored twice and drove in two runs to help the Lehigh Valley IronPigs extend their winning streak to six games with a 7-2 victory Tuesday night over the Syracuse Mets in front of an announced crowd of 4,252 fans at Coca-Cola Park.
Crawford’s two-run single capped a four-run eighth inning to give the IronPigs breathing room.
Otto Kemp’s two-run home run in the fifth gave Lehigh Valley (8-2) the lead for good.
Syracuse took a 2-1 lead on Jon Singleton’s solo homer in the top of the fifth.
Game time temperature was 42 degrees with a steady breeze.
Roster moves
INF Erick Brito was reinstated from the Development List. Outfielder Matt Kroon placed on the 7-day IL (retroactive to 4/7) with a right oblique strain. Kroon slashed .375/.444/.500 in his first five games this season. Brito has not appeared in a game this season.
INF Christian Arroyo is day to day with a mild hamstring strain.
How they scored
Top 3: Jose Azocar doubled off the base of the right-field wall and scored on Billy McKinney’s single. Mets 1-0.
Bottom 3: Justin Crawford singled. Otto Kemp and Buddy Kennedy walked to load the bases. Garrett Stubbs walked to score Crawford. Tied 1-1.
Top 5: Jon Singleton, a former Phillies farmhand, homered with two outs. Mets 2-1.
Bottom 5: Crawford singled to lead off and scored on Kemp’s home run to left field. IronPigs 3-2.
Bottom 8: Garrett Stubbs bunted for a hit to lead off. Oscar Mercado and Cal Stevenson walked to load the bases. With one out, Rafael Lantigua’s grounder was thrown away at the plate. Stubbs and Mercado scored on the play. Crawford’s third single of the game scored Stevenson and Lantigua. IronPigs 7-2.
Up next
RHP Alan Rangel (0-0, 4.15 ERA) faces Syracuse RHP Blade Tidwell (0-1, 5.40) in Wednesday’s 6:45 p.m. start from Coca-Cola Park. Rangel allowed a run on six hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings last Thursday at Rochester.
Morning Call senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com
