Mets Nip Dodgers on Opening Night

Published on April 6, 2006 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Vero Beach Devil Rays News Release


(St. Lucie, FL) - The St. Lucie Mets manufactured a run in the 8th inning to defeat the Dodgers 1-0 on Opening Night at Tradition Field. Dodgers starter Scott Elbert turned in five shutout innings but was matched by the Mets' Mike Pelphrey. St. Lucie leftfielder Alhaji Turay drove in the lone run with a groundout in the 8th. The series with the Mets goes back to Vero Beach Friday night at 6:30 PM with a fireworks extravaganza to follow.

The starting pitching matchup proved to be every bit as rewarding as it appeared on paper. Pelphrey was the Mets #1 pick last year out of Wichita State University and made his professional debut. In his five innings, Pelphrey allowed only two singles and one walk while striking out six Dodgers. Only one baserunner reached second.

Elbert, the Dodgers top pick in the 2004 draft, also threw five shutout frames. Though the first batter he faced singled and the second walked, the Vero Beach lefty coaxed a popout and double play to escape trouble. The Mets never seriously threatened again until the 5th. An infield hit, walk and hit batter loaded the bases with two outs. St. Lucie cleanup hitter Mike Carp flew out to center to end that inning.

The Dodgers best shot to score came in the 7th. Blake DeWitt, another former 1st round draft choice, led off with a triple to the gap in right-center. But Mets reliever William Vazquez rebounded with a strikeout, then DeWitt was thrown out at home trying to score on a ground ball hit to a drawn-in infield.

The scoreless game was broken in the bottom of the 8th. After throwing two scoreless relief frames, Brian Akin allowed a leadoff double to Shawn Bowman. He advanced on one groundout and scored on another to give the Mets the 1-0 win. Robert Paulk (1-0) earned the victory with a scoreless 8th and Carlos Muniz notched his first save with a perfect 9th.

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Florida State League Stories from April 6, 2006


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