Cardinals Homer Twice, Beat Mets 4-1 in Series Opener
Published on May 19, 2026 under Florida State League (FSL)
St. Lucie Mets News Release
St. Lucie Mets pitcher Conner Ware
(St. Lucie Mets)
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Palm Beach Cardinals homered their way to a 4-1 win over the St. Lucie Mets in the series opener between the teams on Tuesday night at Clover Park.
Chase Heath hit a solo home run in the second inning and Brayden Smith hit a three-run shot off Mets starter Conner Ware in the third inning to make it 4-0.
Four Cardinals pitchers combined to limit the Mets to one run on four hits. Starter Jacob Odle pitched 5.1 innings of shutout ball. He scattered three hits, walked one and struck out eight.
Antoni Cuello pitched the final two innings for a six-out save, his third of the season.
The Mets scored their only run in the seventh inning when Sam Robertson hit a sacrifice fly to bring home AJ Salgado to cut the deficit to 4-1.
The Mets got the tying run to the plate in the ninth but Cuello struck out Robertson to end the game.
Outside of surrendering the two home runs, Ware pitched well. He struck out seven batters over 5.0 innings. He allowed six hit and four runs.
Josh Blum pitched 1.1 scoreless innings on a MiLB rehab assignment. Miguel Mejias pitched 1.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
Jeremy Rodriguez, Randy Guzman, Chase Meggers and Yohairo Cuevas each hit singles in the loss.
The Mets (16-24) and Cardinals (23-17) play the second game of their series on Wednesday. It's the annual Education Day game at Clover Park. First pitch is scheduled for 11:10 a.m.
Images from this story
 St. Lucie Mets pitcher Conner Ware |
Florida State League Stories from May 19, 2026
- Marauders Lose 3-2 Despite Career-Night from Anker - Bradenton Marauders
- Cardinals Homer Twice, Beat Mets 4-1 in Series Opener - St. Lucie Mets
- Tampa Postpones Game against Clearwater - Tampa Tarpons
- Threshers and Tarpons Rained out on Tuesday - Clearwater Threshers
- Mussels' Series Opener in Dunedin Postponed, Doubleheader Scheduled for Thursday - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Tuesday Series Opener vs. Ft. Myers Postponed, Doubleheader Thursday - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Ramón Márquez Named Florida State League Pitcher of the Week - Clearwater Threshers
- May 19-24 vs. Palm Beach - St. Lucie Mets
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
