Paez homer lifts Mets to 8-3 win over Threshers

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (May 23, 2018) - The St. Lucie Mets capped their series against the Clearwater Threshers with an 8-3 win on Wednesday at First Data Field.
Mets third baseman Mike Paez broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning with a three-run homer off of Threshers starter Nick Fanti.
That was plenty of run support for the Mets bullpen. Three relievers - Matt Blackham, Adam Atkins and Ryder Ryan - stifled the Threshers. The trio did not give up a run and allowed just one single and one walk while striking out five.
Kevin Kaczmarski went 3 for 3 with a three singles, a walk and two runs scored.
Dash Winningham also went 3 for 3 with a walk. He had a double, RBI and a run.
Blackham earned the win. He threw 2.1 scoreless innings.
The Mets jumped out to a 3-0 lead through the first two innings. Desmond Lindsay and Jacob Zanon hit RBI doubles and Luis Carpio added a RBI sac fly.
The Threshers sent nine batters to the plate and scored three runs to tie the game in the fourth. Jose Gomez hit a two-run single with two outs that made it 3-3. The damage was done against Mets starter Michael Gibbons.
Blackham snuffed out the rally by getting a fly out from Arquimedes Gamboa to strand the bases load and keep the game tied.
The Mets added to their lead with two runs in the eighth. Winningham roped a run-scoring single and Paez scored on a throwing error by Gomez at third base.
The Mets (18-22) are on the road Thursday-Sunday at the Daytona Tortugas. First pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Thursday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.