Mets Lose Late Lead, Drop Game 6-4 to Manatees
June 3, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
St. Lucie Mets News Release
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Brevard County's Dustin Houle crushed a go-ahead two-out, two-run ground rule double with the bases loaded in the ninth inning to lift the Manatees to 6-4 win over the St. Lucie Mets on Friday at Hammond Stadium.
The Manatees earlier erased a 4-2 Mets lead in the seventh inning when Angel Ortega and Dustin DeMuth hit back-to-back RBI triples against Mike Hepple.
It's the second time in two games the Mets bullpen has squandered a two-run lead in the final three innings. The Mets have dropped seven of their last eight games.
Amed Rosario was a bright spot for the Mets, going 2 for 4 with two triples, two RBI and a run. His eight triples are tied for the FSL lead.
Ricky Knapp pitched another quality start. He limited the Manatees to two runs on seven hits in six innings. The two runs he allowed came on a first inning home run from Elvis Rubio. Knapp departed with a 4-2 lead and took a no decision.
The Mets went down 2-0 early but rallied for four consecutive runs. In the fourth Rosario tripled and scored on a single by Michael Katz. With the game tied 2-2 in the fifth, Rosario smashed a two-run triple to center field off of Eric Hanhold to put the Mets ahead by two.
It was not enough. In the ninth inning a single and two walks issued by Corey Taylor loaded the bases with one out. Taylor rebounded to strike out Rubio, but Houle's long double doomed the Mets.
Brad Kuntz pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the win. Gage Smith retired the side in the ninth in order for his second save.
Rosario, Tomas Nido and Patrick Biondi had two-hit games for the Mets. Champ Stuart had a triple.
Next Up: The Mets (26-28, 5th) and Manatees (19-35) continue their four-game series on Saturday at Tradition Field. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m.
For the Fans: Postgame fireworks on Saturday!
Florida State League Stories from June 3, 2016
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- Mets Lose Late Lead, Drop Game 6-4 to Manatees - St. Lucie Mets
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- Three Tampa Yankees Selected for 2016 FSL All-Star Team - Tampa Yankees
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