Mets rally falls short in 6-4 loss to Tampa

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (June 4, 2019) - The Tampa Tarpons hung on late to beat the St. Lucie Mets 6-4 on Tuesday at First Data Field.
The Mets scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth and brought the tying run to the plate, but Tampa reliever Andrew Bellatti got a strikeout to end the game.
The Tarpons did most of their damage in the early innings. Dermis Garcia hit a two-run single in the first inning off of Mets starter Kevin Smith.
Tampa scored three more runs in the third to take a 5-1 lead. Oswaldo Cabrera ripped a RBI ground rule double and Pablo Olivares added a run-scoring single.
The Mets had a great chance to get back into the game in the bottom of the third but could not take advantage of a bases loaded, no out situation. All they mustered against Tampa starter JP Sears in the inning was a RBI sac from Jeremy Vasquez that made it a 5-2 Tarpons lead.
Three Mets relievers - Conner O'Neil, Andrew Mitchell and Joe Cavallaro - did not allow an earned run over 5.1 innings of work.
However, the Mets could not muster any more offense against Sears, who retired 10 in a row at one point. He got the win after holding the Mets to two runs and four hits in 5.1 innings.
Matt Wivinis followed Sears with 1.2 scoreless frames.
The Mets went just 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position and they stranded 11 runners.
Blake Tiberi went 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles. Jacob Zanon was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.
Garcia and Isiah Gilliam had three hits apiece for Tampa.
The Mets (28-29) and Tarpons (24-33) play game 3 of their series at First Data Field on Wednesday. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m.