Howard, Threshers Stymie Mets 3-0
Published on July 20, 2019 under Florida State League (FSL1)
St. Lucie Mets News Release
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Reigning FSL Pitcher of the Week Spencer Howard dominated on the mound Saturday night as the Clearwater Threshers shut out the St. Lucie Mets 3-0 at First Data Field.
Howard, the Phillies' No. 5 ranked prospect, only needed 66 pitches to keep the Mets off the scoreboard for six innings. He gave up just two hits, did not walk a batter and struck out four. He threw a whopping 52 strikes and only went to a three-ball count once.
Lefty relievers Keylan Kilgore and Zach Warren finished out the game to preserve the shutout. Warren retired all six batters he faced in the eighth and ninth innings for his sixth save.
The Threshers scored all three of their runs in the fifth inning against Mets starter Tylor Megill. Nick Maton broke the scoreless tie with a RBI sac fly for the second out of the inning. Rodolfo Duran then laced a RBI triple and Matt Vierling followed with a single to bring home Duran for the 3-0 lead.
Megill, making his St. Lucie debut, pitched well for most of the night and matched Howard for the first four innings. He allowed seven hits and three runs over five innings.
Mets relievers Carlos Hernandez and Ezequiel Zabaleta retired all 12 batters they faced in the sixth through ninth innings. Hernandez pitched three perfect innings with three strikeouts.
At the plate, Matt Winaker went 2 for 3 with a pair of singles. Edgardo Fermin hit a leadoff double in the sixth vs. Howard but never advanced past second. Cody Bohanek had the other hit for the Mets.
Hansel Moreno went 0 for 3 to snap his nine-game hitting streak.
The Threshers snapped a seven-game losing streak.
The Mets (20-12, 52-46) and Threshers (15-16, 51-46) conclude their series with a rubber game on Sunday. First pitch at First Data Field is set for noon.
Florida State League Stories from July 20, 2019
- Tortugas Outlast Flying Tigers, Sweep Marathon - Daytona Tortugas
- Five-Run 6th Lifts Tampa to 8-3 Win over Bradenton - Tampa Tarpons
- Howard Continues Dominance in Win over Mets - Clearwater Threshers
- Miracle Mangle Fire Frogs, 5-0 - Florida Fire Frogs
- Stewart Stuns with Near No-Hitter in Jupiter Win over Palm Beach - Jupiter Hammerheads
- Howard, Threshers Stymie Mets 3-0 - St. Lucie Mets
- Wells Dominates Fire Frogs In 5-0 Win - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Dunedin Plays Two in Port Charlotte - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Friday, July 19 Flying Tigers vs. Tortugas Game Suspended - Lakeland Flying Tigers
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