Mets Beat Tortugas Twice on Monday
Published on June 11, 2018 under Florida State League (FSL1)
St. Lucie Mets News Release
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Monday was an excellent day for the St. Lucie Mets. The team beat the Daytona Tortugas twice at First Data Field.
The Mets won the conclusion of a suspended game from May 26 in Daytona, 5-4. In a seven-inning game later on Monday, the Mets came from 3-0 down late to win 5-3.
The suspended game restarted in the bottom of the fifth with Daytona serving as the home team and the Mets leading 5-3. The contest moved along quickly until the Tortugas plated Tyler Stephenson in the eighth inning to trim the deficit to 5-4.
The Tortugas loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Mets reliever Ezequiel Zabaleta fell behind in the count to Ibandel Isabel 3-1. Isabel chopped the next pitch high to third baseman Michael Paez, who jumped, caught the ball and dove head first into third base for the force out to end the game. Had the ball gone an inch higher over Paez's head it would've been a game-winning hit for the Tortugas.
Nicolas Debora was added to the Mets roster prior to the game and he earned the win after pitched 3.1 effective innings. Zabaleta was credited with his first save.
The Mets didn't do much at the plate once the game was resumed, but back on May 26th Dash Winningham ripped a two-run double and Desmond Lindsay hit a solo home run.
In the second game on Monday, the Mets scored two runs in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth inning to tie their largest comeback of the season.
J.J. Franco went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI. His RBI double in the fifth inning sparked the Mets and gave them their first run of the day.
Franco came up with two outs and the game tied 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth and pulled a go-ahead single into left field to bring home Luis Carpio for a 4-3 lead.
Ian Strom followed that with a run-scoring double to make it 5-3.
Alex Palsha turned in a scoreless ninth for his second save of the season.
Mets starter Gary Cornish overcame a shaky start to his outing to get a win. He gave up three hits and three runs in six quality innings. He struck out six and walked three.
The Mets (26-33) and Tortugas (32-28) will play a doubleheader on Tuesday at First Data Field. First pitch of game 1 is set for 4 p.m. Both games are scheduled for seven innings with a 30-minute break between contests.
Florida State League Stories from June 11, 2018
- Tarpons Held to 3 Hits in 4-1 Loss at Clearwater - Tampa Tarpons
- Seabold Spins Complete Game in 4-1 Victory - Clearwater Threshers
- Mets Beat Tortugas Twice on Monday - St. Lucie Mets
- Cardinals Use Late Rally To Take Opener, 5-4 - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Start Your Week off with the Stone Crabs - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Braxton Davidson Named Player of the Week - Florida Fire Frogs
- Prevost Named FSL Pitcher of the Week - St. Lucie Mets
- Paulino Strong in Spot Start, Threshers Drop Series - Clearwater Threshers
- Celebrate with Us on July 3rd - Charlotte Stone Crabs
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