Mets, Tortugas split Saturday doubleheader

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (May 29, 2021) – The St. Lucie Mets and Daytona Tortugas split their doubleheader on Saturday at Clover Park.

The Tortugas won the first game 5-3 before the Mets bounced back for a 9-3 victory in game 2.

In game 2, Jose Peroza hit a three-run homer as part of a five-run third inning to turn a one-run deficit into a 5-3 lead.

Peroza smashed a two-run single in the sixth inning to break the game open, 8-3.

Peroza also hit a solo home run in game 1, which was his first of the year. Across both games he went 5 for 7 with two home runs, three singles, a walk, six RBI and two runs scored.

Jimmy Titus went 3 for 3 with a pair of doubles, a walk, a RBI and a run in game 2.

Starting pitcher Austin Faith recovered from a rocky second inning in which Daytona scored all three of its runs. Faith pitched four solid innings, striking out five.

Drake Nightengale pitched two scoreless innings with four strikeouts to get the win.

In game 1, the Mets hit solo home runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings but could not overcome an early 5-0 deficit.

The home runs came from Peroza, Shervyen Newton and Cole Kleszcz. It was the first home run of the season for each player.

The Tortugas got RBI hits from Gus Steiger, Rece Hinds and Danny Lantigua as part of a four-run third inning that opened up a 5-0 lead.

The Mets (15-8) and Tortugas (12-11) wrap up their six-game series on Sunday at 12:10 p.m.