The St. Lucie Mets saw their three-game winning streak snapped Thursday night, as the Daytona Tortugas secured a 6-4 victory at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach. Despite the loss, the Mets remain atop the FSL East division standings with a magic number of five games to clinch, following Palm Beach’s win earlier in the evening.
Early Offensive Surge Gives Daytona Tortugas Edge Over St. Lucie Mets
For the second consecutive game, the Tortugas quickly jumped ahead in the first inning. Kyle Henley opened the scoring with a leadoff triple and crossed home plate thanks to a single by teammate Sammy Stafura. Later in the inning, Esmith Pineda delivered a critical two-run single, extending Daytona’s lead to 3-0.
In the second inning, Daytona extended their lead to 4-0 when Iverson Espinoza doubled to start the inning, advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on another sacrifice fly by Henley.
St. Lucie Mets Attempt Comeback with Late-Inning Rally
The Mets began to chip away at Daytona’s lead in the sixth inning. Trace Willhoite hit his eighth home run of the season, a solo shot that narrowed the deficit to 4-1.
However, Daytona quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning. A two-out error prolonged the inning, allowing Luis Leones to deliver a two-run single off Mets reliever Ernesto Mercedes, pushing the Tortugas’ advantage to 6-1.
Mets Narrow Gap but Fall Short
In the seventh inning, the Mets rallied again, scoring two runs. Jeremy Rodriguez drove in a run with a groundout, followed by a two-out RBI single from Colin Houck, bringing the score to 6-3.
The Mets added another run in the eighth inning when Nick Roselli hit an RBI single, cutting the deficit to 6-4. Despite their efforts, Daytona reliever Gabe Starks closed the game with a perfect ninth inning, securing his first save and sealing the victory for the Tortugas. This loss follows a recent close game where the Mets comeback fell just short in a 5-4 defeat.
Pitching Performances Highlighted Despite Loss
St. Lucie starter Frank Elissalt took the loss, surrendering four runs on four hits over four innings. Notably, Elissalt found his rhythm after a rocky start, retiring the final 11 batters he faced without allowing a hit.
Mets reliever Ernesto Mercedes delivered a strong performance in relief, pitching four innings and allowing only two unearned runs on one hit while striking out five batters.
Key Offensive Performances for St. Lucie Mets
- Nick Roselli: 2-for-3, RBI, run scored, walk
- Yohairo Cuevas: 2-for-5, double
- Yonatan Henriquez: 1-for-2, double, two walks, two runs scored
- Trey Snyder: Led off with a double, continuing his recent streak of strong starts
Upcoming Games and Division Standings
The St. Lucie Mets (32-27) remain three games ahead of the Palm Beach Cardinals, with seven games remaining in the season, four of which are head-to-head matchups. The Mets and Tortugas (26-34) will continue their series Friday evening at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Earlier this season, the Mets hosted the Tortugas at Clover Park, showcasing exciting matchups between these two rivals.
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 (FSL), a Single-A minor league affiliated with Major League Baseball. They are affiliated with the New York Mets.
Where do the St. Lucie Mets play their home games?
The Mets play their home games at Clover Park, located in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Clover Park also serves as the spring training facility for the New York Mets.
Are the St. Lucie Mets affiliated with a Major League team?
Yes, the St. Lucie Mets are a minor league affiliate of the New York Mets. They develop young talent for potential advancement to higher levels and eventually Major League Baseball.
Can you buy tickets online for St. Lucie Mets games?
Yes, tickets for St. Lucie Mets games can be purchased online through their official website or at the Clover Park box office on game days.
How much are tickets to a St. Lucie Mets game?
Ticket prices for St. Lucie Mets games vary depending on seating location and promotions. Typically, prices range from $8 to $20 per ticket.
Fans recently enjoyed a thrilling home victory when the St. Lucie Mets defeated Daytona 4-2 at Clover Park, highlighting the team’s competitive spirit.
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