Cardinals Take Second Half Opener 3-2
Published on June 23, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
St. Lucie Mets News Release
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The St. Lucie Mets played one of the most entertaining games of their season but came up short in a 3-2 loss to the Palm Beach Cardinals on Thursday at Tradition Field.
Mets starter Andrew Church pitched a complete game but it wasn't enough. Outstanding defense by the Cardinals proved to be the difference.
Center fielder Blake Drake scaled the wall to rob Jhoan Urena of a two-run homer in the sixth that would have put the Mets up 4-3.
In the seventh, John Mora singled into right field with two outs, but Jhohan Acevedo threw out Tomas Nido as the tying run at the plate to end the inning.
The Mets went in order against relievers Blake McKnight and Landon Beck in the final two innings.
The Mets took a brief 2-1 lead when Tucker Tharp pulled a two-run single into left field in the fifth. The Cardinals answered right back in the sixth on Collin Radack's two-out, two-run single up the middle against Church that made it 3-2.
Palm Beach's first run came in the fourth when Casey Grayson led off with a double and later scored on a sac fly by Allen Staton.
Aside from Urena's deep fly out and Mora's single that didn't plate a run, the Mets had one other good chance to score but couldn't cash in. That came in the first when newly added Vinny Siena walked and made it to third base on a stolen base and wild pitch with one out. Austin Gomber rallied to strike out Wuilmer Becerra and Mora grounded out to second to waste the opportunity.
Church was efficient. He only needed 91 pitches to navigate the full nine innings. He scattered eight hits, walked one, hit a batter and struck out four.
It was the first time this season at St. Lucie starter pitched nine innings.
Gomber was erratic for Palm Beach in five innings but got the win.
Nido went 3 for 3. Luis Guillorme and Mora had two hits apiece.
Siena, who was promoted from Columbia earlier in the day, went 0 for 4 with a walk as the leadoff hitter. He played second base while Guillorme shifted to short stop to fill the vacant spot left by Amed Rosario (promoted to Binghamton).
Left handed starting pitcher P.J. Conlon was also promoted from Columbia to St. Lucie on Thursday. Conlon will start Friday's game.
Next Up: The Mets (35-33, 0-1) and Cardinals (33-36, 1-0) battle again at Tradition Field on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
For the Fans: Friday is Bark in the Park and First Responders Night.
Florida State League Stories from June 23, 2016
- Green Powers Clearwater Past Manatees - Clearwater Threshers
- Tampa Falls to Dunedin in 2nd-Half Opener - Tampa Yankees
- Tortugas Pick up Thursday Where They Left Off - Daytona Tortugas
- Hammerheads Score Three in Eighth, Win 6-3 - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Errors Kill Marauders' Hopes - Bradenton Marauders
- Cardinals Take Second Half Opener 3-2 - St. Lucie Mets
- First Half Ends with Extra Inning Defeat - Charlotte Stone Crabs
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