Press Release -
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 11, 2018) – For the second straight night, the St. Lucie Mets won a dramatic game over the Tampa Tarpons in their final at-bat.
Ian Strom played hero in the ninth by running wild on the bases to lift the Mets to a 4-3 win at First Data Field on Wednesday.
With the game tied 3-3, Strom started his own rally with a single against reliever Matt Frawley. Strom stole second and advanced to third when catcher Keith Skinner’s throw skipped into center field. Strom then raced home for the winning run on the ensuing wild pitch from Frawley that bounced towards the Tarpons dugout.
Strom produced a similar inning in the seventh. The scored was 0-0 when he ripped a RBI double to put the Mets up 1-0. Strom then stole third base and came home an errant throw from the catcher Skinner to make it 2-0. The Mets later extended their lead to 3-0 on a Michael Paez RBI double.
The Tarpons rallied back to tie the game with three runs in the top of the eighth. Joe Zanghi came on in relief and settled the game down by getting a two fly outs to keep Tampa from taking a lead.
Zanghi stranded two more runners in the ninth. He earned the win.
Mets started Justin Dunn was excellent again in his second outing of the season. He did not allow a run in five innings and he struck out seven batters. He allowed two singles and walked three.
Dunn has now held teams scoreless in 10 innings and he has fanned 14 batters this season.
The Mets (3-4) and Tarpons (3-4) conclude their four-game series on Thursday. It will be Dollar Night at First Data Field. Fans can enjoy $1 cans of Bud Light and Budweiser, $1 hot dogs, $1 soda and $1 popcorn.
Justin Dunn is pitching like a first rounder now. Keep it up!!
ReplyDeleteStrom and Zanghi have been doing nicely, too.
5-IP
ReplyDeleteBaby steps
Another great NY Mets game last night. What I enjoyed most was seeing starting pitcher Matz maintain his composure after that two run homerun. He did not let it phase him, duck downed it, and got right back to pitching a wonderful game. Very impressive.
ReplyDeleteNo more eyeglass jokes from me with Todd Frazier. The man was sensational, just like his Cincy days. Two homeruns! I cannot say enough about how great this is. Welcome to the Mets Mr. Frazier!
And what about catcher Jose Lobaton too? First time up a NY Met and he hits a gorgeous triple. Cannot help but feel great seeing that. Smacks the dirt. Jose brings huge energy and catches a beautiful game behind the dish. This team's player depth is really something else. Off the charts good! Haven't seen this before here, I do not think. Maybe 1986 Championship Mets were close? Nah. This 2018 Met team rules.
Around Mets MiLB...
1B Peter Alonso hitting .360 BA down at Binghamton. Pitcher Gerson Bautista still hanging onto his 0.00 ERA. Had 3 K's in 2 innings with Bing against winner Portland.
Las Vegas 51's pitchers that I am liking most right now: Oswalt, Conlon, and Flexen, in this order. But all showing promise.
The only thing missing from the parent club, but believe me here no one has the right to complain with this 2018 NYM team, might be a left-handed set-up man with youth and power fastball.
It's funny, the Red Sox have a decent amount of left-handed pitchers, the Mets a ton of right handed pitchers. Might conceivably consider a trade between the two clubs. Something like (Tim) Peterson or Flexen to the Red Sox for something like a Jalen Beeks (Groome is their top lefty prospect at AAA Pawtucket and I doubt that they'd be willing to part with him)or Darwinson Hernandez who has a 60 rated fastball.
Just a thought. I'm not exactly Einstein here, but trying my best anyway.
Mickey for President!