Mets, Hammerheads Split Doubleheader
August 23, 2014 - Florida State League (FSL1)
St. Lucie Mets News Release
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (August 22, 2014) - The St. Lucie Mets and Jupiter Hammerheads split a doubleheader at Tradition Field on Friday.
The Hammerheads shut out the Mets 1-0 in game 1. The Mets rallied to win game 2 behind an excellent start from Domingo Tapia, 4-2.
The teams played a doubleheader because the previous scheduled meeting between the squads at Tradition Field on July 6 was rained out.
In game 2, Tapia came within one out of going the distance in the seven-inning contest. He gave up five hits and two runs in 6 2/3. He walked just one and struck out six.
Cole Frenzel put the Mets up 2-1 in the second when he ripped a two-run double fair down the first base line.
The Mets extended their lead to 3-1 in the fifth on an RBI single by Phil Evans. The hit scored Gavin Cecchini, who doubled for the second time.
Evans moved to third on Frenzel's ground out and slid safely into home without a throw when Albert Cordero grounded to out make it 4-1.
The Hammerheads scored their first run in the second inning when Tapia induced a double play with runners at the corners. Blake Barber scored from third as the Mets traded the run for two outs.
Tapia didn't give up his second run until there were two outs in the seventh. With Barber at second, he struck out Chadd Krist for the second out, but Cody Keefer doubled to score Barber and chase Tapia.
Paul Sewald came in to get the final out and it only took him four pitches to strike out Juan Avila. It was Sewald's 10th save in 10 opportunities.
Cecchini went 2 for 2 with two doubles, two runs scored and a walk. The base on balls was his 19th in 21 games this month.
Frenzel went 1 for 2 with two RBIs.
Evans scored two runs.
Hammerheads starter Matt Milroy lost for the ninth time in 11 starts. He gave up two runs and two hits in four innings. He walked four batters and hit three more but was able to strand eight runners over his last three innings.
Brian Ellington gave up two runs in two innings of relief.
Barber went 2 for 2, scored both of Jupiter's runs and reached base all three times he came up.
In game 1, Luis Cessa pitched a complete game for the Mets but received no offensive support.
Cessa gave up just one run and three hits in seven innings while striking out five and walking one.
The one run for the Hammerheads was scored by Derek Dietrich, who is on a MLB rehab assignment for the Miami Marlins. Dietrich tripled to right-center field with one out in the fourth. Matt Juengel brought him home with a ground out to short.
The Mets had a couple of chances late to tie the game. Jairo Perez, returning the lineup off the DL for the first time since late June, struck out to end the sixth with runners on second and third.
In the seventh, Sean Donatello struck out Evans looking to end the game with Eudy Pina on second base.
The Mets also stranded Jeff McNeil on third in the first inning and left Jared King on second in the second.
Jupiter won the game despite being out hit 5-3 by the Mets.
Four Hammerheads pitchers combined for the shutout. Dan Jennings, another rehabber for the Marlins, got the start and struck out three in two scoreless innings. Jennings, a reliever, was hit in the head by a line drive in Pittsburgh earlier this month and is working his way back to Miami.
In his Florida State League debut, lefty Alan Scott faced the minimum in three innings of work in the third, fourth and fifth. He got the win.
C.J. Robinson stranded runners in scoring position in the sixth when Perez struck out looking.
Donatello earned his fifth save when he closed out the seventh.
King went 3 for 3 for the Mets. All three hits were singles.
In his last two starts, Cessa has given up just four hits and two runs in 12 innings. He's 0-1.
The Mets (70-59, 30-30) and Hammerheads (46-82, 19-40) continue their series on Saturday at Tradition Field. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the Florida State League message board...
Florida State League Stories from August 23, 2014
- Dominant Pitching Leads T-Yanks to 2-0 Win - Tampa Yankees
- Mets Fall to Hammerheads 5-4 - St. Lucie Mets
- 'Crabs Stay Alive with 7-3 Win - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Cardinals Can't Overcome Costly Miscues - Palm Beach Cardinals
- Walter Shuts Down Manatees in 6-2 Win - Clearwater Threshers
- Homers derail 'Tees in 6-2 loss to Clearwater - Brevard County Manatees
- Crabs Stop Miracle Winning Streak, 7-3, on Saturday Night - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Mets, Hammerheads Split Doubleheader - St. Lucie Mets
- Late Rally Sparks Tampa Comeback in 5-2 Win - Tampa Yankees
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.
