Cecchini's Grand Night Lifts Mets Past Crabs
Published on July 3, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
St. Lucie Mets News Release
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (July 3, 2014) - Gavin Cecchini broke a 1-1 tie with a grand slam to lead the St. Lucie Mets past the Charlotte Stone Crabs 7-4 on Thursday.
The Mets completed the three-game sweep of the Stone Crabs and won their sixth straight game. They improved to 50-32 overall and 10-3 in the Florida State League's second half.
Cecchini silenced the 6,942 in attendance at Charlotte Sports Park who were hoping for a Crabs win to go along with the postgame fireworks show. Instead, Cecchini launched a Zach Cooper pitch deep to left in the sixth inning that traveled over the bullpen and off the top of flag pole beyond the outfield boardwalk.
It was the first FSL homer for Cecchini, the Mets first round draft pick in 2012. He joined St. Lucie from Savannah on June 19.
Albert Cordero followed Cecchini's grand slam with a double and Jeff McNeil drove Cordero in with a single to make it 6-1.
The Crabs got a run back against Mets starter Luis Cessa in the bottom of the sixth, but the Mets answered right back in the seventh. L.J. Mazzilli cranked a double, moved to third on a single by Aderlin Rodriguez and scored on catcher Justin O'Conner's throwing error.
Mets reliever Tim Peterson ran into trouble in the seventh. He walked three, gave up a hit and threw a wild pitch that allowed a run to score. However, he struck out Goeddel to end the inning and limit the damage to two runs.
Paul Sewald worked a perfect eighth and ninth to earn his fifth save in his last six appearance. He dropped his ERA to 0.79.
The Mets got on the board first on Phillip Evans' two-out RBI single that drove in McNeil.
The Crabs tied the game 1-1 in the third on an infield hit by Tyler Goeddel that plated Patrick Leonard. The Crabs loaded the bases with one out later in the inning, but Cessa got to fly outs to keep the game tied.
Cessa went six innings and allowed two runs and six hits. He walked four and struck out two. He improved to 6-5.
McNeil went 3 for 4. He reached base seven times in the series.
Evans, Rodriguez and Mazzilli had two hits apiece.
Evans played third base for the first time this season. He fielded all five balls hit to him cleanly and started two double plays.
The Mets return home to Tradition Field on Friday to face the Jupiter Hammerheads at 6:30 p.m. A spectacular fireworks show will light up the Treasure Coast sky following the game.
Great seats are still available. Tickets start at just $8. Tickets can be purchased online at www.stluciemets.com, over the phone at 772-871-2115 or in person at the Tradition Field box office. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
Fans who can't make it can tune into the game with the Voice of the Mets Adam MacDonald on WPSL 1590 AM or www.stluciemets.com.
Florida State League Stories from July 3, 2014
- Cardinals Complete Sweep of Hammerheads - Palm Beach Cardinals
- Same Offensive Performane Leads to Loss - Jupiter Hammerheads
- Clearwater Downed 14-6 by Dunedin - Clearwater Threshers
- Walker, Miracle Slide Past Marauders, 7-6 - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Cecchini's Grand Night Lifts Mets Past Crabs - St. Lucie Mets
- Independence Day Celebration Postponed - Daytona Tortugas
- Orlando Arcia Named Brewers Player of the Month for June - Brevard County Manatees
- Berrios Named FSL Player of the Month for June - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Cliff Lee Expected to Pitch in Brevard County - Brevard County Manatees
- Marauders to Honor Evan Chambers on Thursday, July 10 - Bradenton Marauders
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