Mussels Drop Finale to Hammerheads 9-4

JUPITER, Fla. (August 14, 2022) – The Mighty Mussels erased a four-run deficit Sunday but ultimately lost a rain-shortened 9-4 decision to the Jupiter Hammerheads at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Kala’i Rosario, Luis Baez and Daniel Ozoria all recorded multi-hit games for Fort Myers (57-47, 16-24), but the defense committed a season-high five errors in the loss.

The Mussels fell behind 4-0 in the first inning but came right back in the top of the second. After a walk to Rubel Cespedes, Kala’i Rosario singled him to second. With two outs, Ozoria ripped a single to center to score Cespedes and make it 4-1. Rosario then scampered home on a double steal to make it 4-2. After an infield single by Baez put runners on the corners, Ozoria scored on a passed ball to make it 4-3. Hammerheads reliever Jean Reyes then walked three batters in a row to force in a run and cap the inning at 4-4.

The Fort Myers bullpen then went six straight innings without allowing an earned run, with Regi Grace Jr., Jackson Hicks and Anthony Escobar all recording at least six outs.

In a tie game in the bottom of the sixth, Jupiter got the go-ahead run to second on an error. With two outs, Yiddi Cappe connected on a single to make it 5-4 Jupiter.

Still leading by one in the bottom of the eighth, Cameron Barstad singled before Carlos Santiago walked. After an error loaded the bases, Cappe smoked a two-run double down the line to extend the lead to 7-4. Two batters later, Jacob Berry pulled a double down the left field line to cap the inning at 9-4. With the rain pouring down, the umpires called the game due to unplayable field conditions.

The Mussels will return to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Tuesday to begin a six-game series with the Palm Beach Cardinals. All six games will be carried on the Cardinals Broadcast Network.