Mets start hot, cruise past Tarpons 8-4

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 21, 2024) – The St. Lucie Mets picked up right where they left off from Saturday night and rolled to an 8-4 victory over the Tampa Tarpons on Sunday afternoon at Clover Park.

On Saturday the Mets scored twice in the eighth and twice in the ninth to stun Tampa for a walk-off win. On Sunday the Mets scored all eight of their runs in the first two innings to build an 8-0 lead. They never looked back on their way to a third straight win and first series victory of the season.

Jesus Baez delivered the first run of the game on a RBI single against Tampa starter Brady Rose in the first inning. J.D. Martinez, who restarted his progression towards the big leagues, scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0. Martinez had reached on a single.

Vincent Perozo added a sac fly to bring home Baez later in the inning for a 3-0 advantage.

The Mets scored five runs in the second inning. Donovan Antonia belted a RBI double. Colin Houck followed with a RBI triple to make it 5-0. Martinez continued the rally with a RBI double for a 6-0 lead. Perozo and Chris Suero hit consecutive run-scoring singles to increase the lead to 8-0.

Mets starter Kade Morris pitched 3.0 scoreless innings. He did not surrender a hit and overcame three walks.

Franklin Gomez gave up a pair of runs over the next 2.1 innings. Juan Arnaud pitched 1.2 scoreless innings behind Gomez and was credited with the win.

Jimmy Loper tossed the final 2.0 innings to close out the game and series.

Martinez went 2 for 3 with a double, single, strikeout, RBI and two runs.

Sebastian Castro was also 2 for 3.

Perozo’s RBI single extended his hitting streak to seven games.

Rose took the loss for Tampa. He was charged with eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits in 1.1 innings.

The Mets (7-8) are off on Monday. They return to action on Tuesday when they start a six-game series at the Daytona Tortugas. First pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday is 6:30 p.m.