Mets hold off Tarpons 7-6

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (June 18, 2022) – The St. Lucie Mets won a nail biter against the Tampa Tarpons 7-6 on Saturday night at Clover Park.

Omar De Los Santos made a running catch on the warning track in right field for the final out of the game to rob Ben Cowles of a go-ahead hit with the bases loaded.

William Lugo broke a 5-5 tie in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run single off Tarpons reliever Ryan Anderson to put the Mets up 7-5.

The Mets loaded the bases later in the seventh and again in the eighth inning but could not score to put the game out of reach. Tampa loaded the bases in the ninth on a single and two walks against Keyshawn Askew. Jace Beck came in and walked the first batter he faced to force in a run to make it a 7-6 game. Cowles flew out on the next pitch.

Daniel Juarez (0-2) pitched 2.0 innings of relief to get the win. Beck earned his first save.

Stanley Consuegra went 2 for 3 with a three-run homer, single, walk, stolen base and three runs.

Jack-Thomas Wold was 2 for 4 with a RBI double.

Alex Ramirez walked three times and was hit by a pitch. He scored twice and stole a base.

Starter Javier Atencio was charged with four runs on four hits. He walked five and struck out seven.

Mets pitchers walked a season-high 10 batters but also recorded 13 strikeouts.

The Mets (40-21) and Tarpons (26-36) play their series finale on Sunday at 12:10 p.m. As part of Father’s Day festivities there will be a pregame catch on the field from 11-11:30 a.m. Dads also get a free ticket with the purchase of a kid’s ticket.