Mets offense explodes early in 9-3 win over Tarpons

TAMPA, Fla. (May 18, 2022) – Carlos Dominguez went 4 for 5 and fell just a triple shy of the cycle as the St. Lucie Mets cruised past the Tampa Tarpons 9-3 on Tuesday to win their seventh straight game.

Mired in a 3 for 34 slump since his previous home run, Dominguez exploded onto the scene Tuesday with a two-run homer in the first inning that put Mets up 3-0. He doubled in his next at bat and singled in the fifth inning. Needing a triple to become just the second St. Lucie Met ever to hit for a cycle, Dominguez settled for a single in his final at-bat in the ninth inning.

The Mets broke the game open with a four-run fourth inning. Jack-Thomas Wold and Junior Tilien hit RBI singles. Kevin Villavicencio ripped a run-scoring double to make it 6-0 and Alex Ramirez capped the inning with a sac fly for 7-0 lead.

Mets starter Calvin Ziegler fell one out short of qualifying for his first career win. The righty held the Tarpons to two hits and two runs over 4.2 innings. He walked three and matched his season high of nine strikeouts. Ziegler has not allowed more than two hits in any of his seven starts.

Luis Moreno bent but did not break over the final 4.1 innings as he finished out the game to earn the win. He scattered seven hits and walked four, but the Tarpons only mustered one run against him. Moreno struck out six.

The Mets pounded out 12 hits. William Lugo went 2 for 5 with two doubles. Tilien had his best game, going 2 for 3 with a RBI and two runs scored.

Stanley Consuegra was 1 for 4 with a walk, two RBI and a run scored.

The Mets (25-10) and Tarpons (14-20) play the third game of their series at Steinbrenner Field on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.