Lakeland 2 - St. Lucie 1

Mets Fall to Lakeland 2-1

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. — Harold Castro’s two-out, two-run double to left in the fifth proved to be the difference as Lakeland held off the Mets 2-1 at Tradition Field on Monday.

Travis Taijeron hit his ninth home run of the season, a solo blast to left in the ninth to cut the deficit to 2-1. Taijeron, named FSL Player of the Week, has hit safely in eight straight games and has four combined home runs in his last three games. Taijeron went 3-for-4 and T.J. Rivera had two hits to pace the Mets offense.

Noah Syndergaard suffered his third loss of the season despite allowing two runs on six hits over five innings while striking out five and walking none. Syndergaard struck out the side in the second.

Chasen Bradford pitched two scoreless innings in relief and Randy Fontanez also did not allow a run over two innings with five strikeouts.

The Mets finished 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base. The Mets left the bases loaded in the sixth against Lakleand starter Jeff Ferrell, who pitched six scoreless innings.

The Mets will host the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Tuesday at Tradition Field at 6:30 p.m. Alex Panteliodis is the scheduled starter for the Mets.