Lugo homers, Mets win series opener vs. Cards

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (July 26, 2022) – The St. Lucie Mets jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a series-opening 8-2 win over the Palm Beach Cardinals on Tuesday at Clover Park.

The Mets put up six runs in the second inning against Cardinals starter Hancel Rincon (0-1). Rincon walked three straight batters with one out, then was tagged for a two-run single by Fernando Villalobos. Tanner Murphy followed with a sac fly to make it 3-0.

William Lugo broke the inning wide open with a towering three-run homer with two outs that made it 6-0. It was Lugo’s seventh homer of the year and second in three games.

Three Mets pitchers combined to limit the Cardinals offense. Starter Jose Acuna battled to throw three scoreless innings despite walking four. He also struck out four.

Miguel Alfonseca (2-0) followed with three shutout innings to get the win. He gave up two hits and struck out three.

Jeffrey Colon pitched the final three innings for his second save. He allowed two runs, but only one run was earned on solo homer by Patrick Romeri.

Ronis Aybar came off the bench and hit a two-run single with the bases loaded in the eighth inning to push the Mets lead from 6-2 to 8-2.

Lugo went 2 for 4 with a home run, single, walk and three RBI.

The Mets snapped an eight-game losing streak against Palm Beach.

The Mets (53-37, 13-12) and Cardinals (44-45, 14-11) continue their series at Clover Park on Wednesday. First pitch is 6:10 p.m. The Mets can tie the Cardinals for first place in the FSL East second half with a win.