Mets rally for 2 comeback wins over Hammerheads
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (July 14, 2023) – The St. Lucie Mets notched two come-from-behind victories over the Jupiter Hammerheads at Clover Park on Friday evening. The Mets won the resumption of a suspended doubleheader game from June 25th, 4-1, then erased a four-run deficit and won the ensuing second
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (July 14, 2023) – The St. Lucie Mets notched two come-from-behind victories over the Jupiter Hammerheads at Clover Park on Friday evening. The Mets won the resumption of a suspended doubleheader game from June 25th, 4-1, then erased a four-run deficit and won the ensuing second seven-inning game 5-4.
The Mets resumed the June 25th game trailing 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning as the visiting team. Runners were on first and second base with one out. Fernando Villalobos drew a walk from Josh Simpson to load the bases, then Simpson balked home Yeral Martinez to tie the game 1-1.
The Mets went ahead in the top of the sixth. Martinez led off the frame with a triple against Euri Montero. With two outs Jett Williams lined a hit into left field to bring home Martinez for a 2-1 lead.
The Mets padded their lead with two runs in the top of the seventh. A missed pop up by first baseman Carlos Santiago turned into a RBI single for Kevin Villavicencio. Martinez followed by clubbing a RBI double to make it 4-1.
Mets pitcher Saul Garcia restarted the game for the Mets. He pitched 3.0 scoreless innings with four strikeouts to get the win.
Luis A. Rodriguez closed out the game with a scoreless bottom of the seventh for his first save.
Martinez went 3 for 3 in the game with a triple, double, single, walk, RBI and two runs scored.
Jupiter’s only run came on a leadoff home run in the first inning by Brett Roberts on June 25th.
In the second seven-inning game, the Hammerheads jumped out to a 4-0 lead through the top of the third inning. Santiago hit a two-run homer in the second and Montgomery blasted a solo home run off Mets starter Douglas Orellana in the third for a 4-0 advantage.
The Mets began their comeback against starter Cole Kirschsieper in the bottom of the third when Carlos Dominguez ripped a RBI double to make it a 4-1 game.
The Mets scored four runs off Kirschsieper in the fifth. Kirschsieper walked three batters in the inning. With two outs, Vincent Perozo blooped a two-run single that cut the deficit to 4-3 and chased Kirschsieper from the game.
Chris Mokma came in from the bullpen and surrendered a two-run go-ahead double to Jefrey De Los Santos that put the Mets up 5-4.
Mets reliever Ramon Henriquez got a line out double play with runners on first and second base to end the sixth.
Jimmy Loper stranded the tying run on first base in a scoreless seventh inning for his first save.
Henriquez pitched 2.0 scoreless innings to get the win in his team debut.
Perozo went 2 for 2 with two RBI. Williams went 2 for 3 with a double.
The four-run comeback was the biggest come-from-behind win for the Mets this season.
The Mets (29-52, 5-11) and Hammerheads (42-40, 7-9) meet again at Clover Park on Saturday. First pitch is 6:10 p.m. It’s Christmas in July with postgame fireworks. Fans who bring a toy donation for the WPSL Christmas Kids get a free ticket.