Flying Tigers pull away late for 6-3 win over Mets
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (August 21, 2026) – The Lakeland Tigers won their seventh game in their last eight with a 6-3 victory over the St. Lucie Mets on Friday night at Clover Park. It was the seventh consecutive loss for the Mets and their 11th loss in the last
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (August 21, 2026) – The Lakeland Tigers won their seventh game in their last eight with a 6-3 victory over the St. Lucie Mets on Friday night at Clover Park. It was the seventh consecutive loss for the Mets and their 11th loss in the last 12 games.
Lakeland scored the first four runs of the game. The Mets fought back and eventually got the tying run to third base with two outs in the eighth inning.
Yovanny Rodriguez hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the seventh to cut the Mets deficit to 4-2. Aiden Robbins homered in the eighth inning off Jose Guzman to make it a 4-3 game. Eli Serrano III followed with a double. Serrano III tagged to third base on a fly out. Guzman then struck out Rodriguez looking to end the inning and strand Serrano III on third base.
The first two batters of the top of the ninth drew walks against Jonathan Jimenez and Miguel Mejias. Both those base runners ended up scoring on a ground ball error and sac fly to increase the Lakeland lead to 6-3.
The Mets got hits from Julio Zayas and Bohan Adderely in the bottom of the ninth but Guzman struck out Jake Ogden to end the game.
Lakeland reliever Xiomer Guacache pitched 3.1 innings after a 1 hour and 18 minute rain delay to get the win. He allowed two runs on four hits.
The Mets used seven pitchers. Starter Camden Lohman pitched a scoreless first inning.
Nate Isler, the Mets 10th round draft pick out of Dartmouth, pitched the second inning and gave up three runs in his pro debut. He struck out his first batter but also surrendered a home run to the next batter Jude Warwick. Isler took the loss.
Mets 14th round pick Zach Crotchfelt out of Troy made his pro debut in the third inning and retired the side in order with a strikeout.
Jimenez pitched the longest, going 3.0 innings and being charged with one earned run.
Dylan Carey went 3 for 4 with three singles in the loss. Adderley went 2 for 4 with a double.
Lakeland starter Malachi Witherspoon struck out five in 3.0 scoreless innings.
Guzman pitched the final two innings and was credited with his fifth save.
The Mets (17-34, 50-67) and Flying Tigers (26-24, 57-58) play the fifth game of their series at Clover Park on Saturday. First pitch is 6:10 p.m. The Mets will wear special jerseys to celebrate the 100th anniversary of St. Anastasia’s School in Fort Pierce. There will be a postgame fireworks show.