Clutch hits propel Mets past Flying Tigers, 4-1

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (May 14, 2022) – St. Lucie Mets strung together four consecutive two-out hits and three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to break a 1-1 tie and beat the Lakeland Flying Tigers 4-1 on Saturday at Clover Park.

Junior Tilien, Kevin Villavicencio and Alex Ramirez hit three ground balls singles just off the gloves of Flying Tigers infielders to load the bases in the fateful seventh inning. With Khalil Lee at the plate, Cristhian Tortosa threw a wild pitch that brought home Tilien for a 2-1 lead.

Lee followed with a bloop single that plated Villavicencio and Ramirez to a 4-1 advantage.

Raimon Gomez pitched two scoreless and hitless innings of relief to get the win in his home debut. He inherited the go-ahead runner at second base with no outs in the seventh inning and managed two strikeouts and a ground out to keep the game tied.

Levi David pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts to get the save.

Dominic Hamel made his best start of the season. He held the Flying Tigers to one run – a solo home run by Izaac Pecheco in the sixth inning – over 6.0 innings. Hamel scattered five hits, walked two and struck out one while throwing 85 pitches.

Lee went 2 for 4 with a triple, two RBI and a run.

William Lugo also went 2 for 4.

Flying Tigers starting pitcher Brant Hurter did not give up an earned run in 5.0 inning and struck out nine without a walk.

The Mets have followed up a season-long three-game losing skid with four consecutive wins. They are now 14-3 at home.

The Mets (22-10) and Flying Tigers (13-18) conclude their series at Clover Park on Sunday at 12:10 p.m.