The St. Lucie Mets comeback bid fell just short in a 5-4 loss to the Daytona Tortugas on Thursday night at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie. The defeat brought an end to the Mets’ four-game winning streak despite a strong ninth-inning rally. The Mets had previously shown resilience, notably in their recent thrilling walk-off victory against the Tampa Tarpons.

Mets Rally Late but Unable to Complete Comeback

Trailing 5-1 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, the Mets staged a promising comeback. The inning began with consecutive singles from Yohairo Cuevas, Kevin Villavicencio, and Vincent Perozo against Tortugas pitcher Jake Gilbert. Perozo’s single drove in Cuevas, narrowing the deficit to 5-2.

Later in the inning, Willy Fanas grounded out to bring home another run, making the score 5-3. With two outs, Jeremy Rodriguez reached base on a throwing error by second baseman Iverson Espinoza, allowing Perozo to score and cutting the lead to a single run at 5-4. Rodriguez advanced to second base, representing the tying run. However, Daytona reliever Trent Hodgdon struck out Colin Houck to end the game.

Daytona Tortugas Build Early Lead

The Tortugas took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning on a solo home run by Sammy Stafura against Mets starter Matt Allan. St. Lucie quickly responded in the third inning, tying the game on a two-out RBI triple from A.J. Ewing.

Daytona broke the tie in the sixth inning, scoring three runs off St. Lucie pitcher Channing Austin. Esmith Pineda delivered an RBI single, with another run scoring on an error committed by left fielder Simon Juan. Later in the inning, Austin threw a wild pitch with two outs and a runner on third, allowing another run to score and extending Daytona’s lead to 4-1.

Critical Insurance Run Secures Victory for Daytona

Daytona added an important insurance run in the ninth inning when Espinoza reached base on a throwing error by Austin. Espinoza advanced to second base on the error and scored on a single by Kyle Henley, giving the Tortugas a 5-1 lead at the time.

Pitching Performance and Key Players

Mets starter Matt Allan pitched two innings, allowing one run on one hit. Reliever Dylan Tebrake followed with two scoreless innings, striking out three batters in his Minor League Baseball rehab appearance. Juan Arnaud pitched a perfect fifth inning, recording two strikeouts.

Channing Austin took the loss, surrendering four runs (three earned) on five hits over four innings. He walked four and struck out three batters.

For Daytona, long reliever JP Ortiz earned the win with four shutout innings, while Trent Hodgdon secured a one-out save.

Mets Offense Shows Improvement Despite Loss

The Mets offense recorded 10 hits in the game, a notable improvement after managing just seven hits combined in the first two games of the series. Eight of the nine Mets starters registered at least one hit, with Villavicencio and Fanas each collecting two hits in four at-bats.

Upcoming Game and Special Event at Clover Park

The St. Lucie Mets (10-8) and Daytona Tortugas (9-9) will continue their series at Clover Park on Friday, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:10 p.m. Fans interested in attending can find more details about the series in this preview of the April 22-27 games at Clover Park. The game will feature “Vets at the Mets,” presented by Baron Real Estate, offering free admission to all active military members and veterans.

Frequently Asked Questions About St. Lucie Mets

What league do the St. Lucie Mets play in?

The St. Lucie Mets play in the Florida State League, which is classified as Single-A baseball. It is part of Minor League Baseball (MiLB).

Where is Clover Park located?

Clover Park is located in Port St. Lucie, Florida. It serves as the home stadium for the St. Lucie Mets and hosts spring training for the New York Mets.

Can you buy tickets online for St. Lucie Mets games?

Yes, tickets for St. Lucie Mets games can be purchased online through the team’s official website or at the Clover Park box office.

How much do tickets typically cost for Mets games at Clover Park?

Ticket prices for St. Lucie Mets games typically range from $8 to $15, depending on seat location and game promotions. Special events may have different pricing.

Are there special promotions at Clover Park?

Yes, Clover Park regularly hosts special promotions, including “Vets at the Mets,” fireworks nights, and family-friendly events. Fans can check the team’s schedule online for details, including exciting matchups like the recent six-game series against Daytona Tortugas.

Interested in learning more about the St. Lucie Mets and their upcoming games? Download our FREE guide .

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