Andrew Navigato's 2 home runs propel Toledo Mud Hens past Charlotte Knights 5-1

CHARLOTTE — Andrew Navigato hit a pair of solo home runs for the Toledo Mud Hens, who went deep a total of three times in a 5-1 over the Charlotte Knights at Truist Field on Friday.

The Mud Hens and Knights have split the first four games of the six-game series heading into the weekend matchups.

Toledo (56-61) manufactured the game’s first run in the top of the third inning.

Riley Unroe reached via a leadoff walk, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Justice Bigbie’s sacrifice fly.

Then Navigato made his presence known. The Toledo third baseman hit solo home runs — both to center field — in the fourth and sixth innings, opening up a 3-0 lead over Charlotte (53-62).

In the seventh, Unroe walked and stole second with one out, leading to another run on Ryan Vilade’s RBI single that made it 4-0.

But Charlotte was quick to answer in the bottom of the seventh, as Rafael Ortega’s leadoff home run reduced the margin to 4-1. The Knights threatened to add more as both Mark Payton and Zach DeLoach drew one-out walks off Toledo reliever Angel Reyes, leading to Reyes being replaced by Sean Guenther. He helped the Hens out of the jam, striking out Tim Elko and getting Oscar Colas to line out, ending the threat.

The Hens averted damage in the eighth, as well. With two runners on and two outs, Charlotte’s Wilmer Difo singled to left but it wasn’t deep enough and Unroe threw out Colson Montgomery at home plate.

Ryan Kreidler extended Toledo’s lead at 5-1 with a solo shot to begin the ninth.

The Mud Hens and Knights have an early start Saturday with first pitch coming at 12:05 p.m. at Truist Field. Lael Lockhart (2-5) is on the mound for Toledo, while Sean Burke (1-5) starts for Charlotte.