Hammerheads take series opener over Mets 9-5

JUPITER, Fla. (April 9, 2024) – The Jupiter Hammerheads defeated the St. Lucie Mets 9-5 in the series opener at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Tuesday night.

The game featured an offensive explosion early, as the Hammerheads held a 5-4 lead after two innings. The Mets tied the game 5-5 on a bases loaded walk from Colin Houck in the third inning.

The game remained 5-5 until former St. Lucie Met Yeral Martinez hit a two-out, go-ahead RBI single off Candido Cuevas in the fifth inning to put Jupiter up 6-5.

The Hammerheads broke the game open in the sixth inning with three runs to go up 9-5. They took advantage of a pair of walks and an error in the inning.

The Mets, who scored four runs in the second inning, couldn’t find their offensive footing as the game went on. They did not collect a hit after Diego Mosquera’s two-out single in the third inning.

The Mets had several opportunities on offense. They worked 11 walks but went just 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position and stranded 13 base runners.

The Hammerheads meanwhile came up with three different two-out RBI hits to produce key runs.

Mets starter Zach Thornton bounced back after a rough first two innings to retire the last five batters he faced. Thornton allowed five runs on seven hits over 4.0 innings.

Cuevas took the loss. He gave up four runs on one hit and four walks in 1.1 innings.

Mets relievers Jimmy Loper and Juan Arnaud impressed with a combined 2.2 innings of scoreless ball and four strikeouts.

Jupiter relievers Juan Reynoso, Nigel Belgrave and Josh Ekness combined to hold the Mets without a hit over 6.0 innings. The trio worked around five walks and struck out 10. Reynoso was credited with the win.

Jesus Baez and Yohairo Cuevas had two hits apiece. Ronald Hernandez walked three times. Mosquera was 1 for 3 with a single and two walks.

The Mets (1-3) and Hammerheads (2-2) play game 2 of their six-game series at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Wednesday. First pitch is 6:30 p.m.