Mets rally falls just short in 8-6 loss to Jupiter

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (July 2, 2022) – The Jupiter Hammerheads held off a furious rally by the St. Lucie Mets to win 8-6 at Clover Park on Saturday night.

The Mets entered the ninth inning down five runs but scored three times, including two runs on a single by William Lugo to make it 8-5. Omar De Los Santos followed with a RBI single to make it 8-6. Jack-Thomas Wold worked a two-out walk to load the bases but Jupiter reliever Caleb Wurster retired Justin Guerrera on a fly out to end the game.

The Hammerheads jumped out to a 6-0 lead by scoring two runs in each of the first three innings against Mets starter Robert Colina (0-3). Carlos Santiago hit a two-run homer in the first inning, Osiris Johnson ripped a two-run single in the second and Zach Zubia clubbed a two-run homer in the third.

The Mets cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the third. Raul Beracierta hit a solo home run and later in the inning Lugo hit a run-scoring single to make it 6-3.

The Hammerheads got good relief work from Joey Steele (1-0), Patrick Murphy and Jake Schrand, who combined for a 5.1 scoreless innings from the end of the third through the eighth inning.

Colina lasted 4.1 inning and Miguel Alfonseca saved the rest of the Mets bullpen by pitching the final 4.2 innings, allowing just two runs and striking out six.

Lugo went 3 for 5 with a double and three RBI. Omar De Los Santos went 3 for 4 with three singles, a walk and a RBI. Stanley Consuegra was 2 for 5 with two runs.

Johnson went 4 for 4 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs for Jupiter. He reached base in all five plate appearances.

The Mets (43-30, 3-5) and Hammerheads (38-34, 4-4) play their series finale on Sunday at Clover Park. Two-time Cy Young winner and four-time All Star Jacob deGrom will begin a rehab assignment with St. Lucie. The area’s first and biggest Independence Day weekend fireworks show will take place immediately following the game. First pitch is 6:10 p.m.