Tampa 4 - St. Lucie 1

TAMPA, Fla. (June 6, 2018) – The Tampa Tarpons hung on late to beat the St. Lucie Mets 4-1 on Wednesday at Steinbrenner Field.

The Mets avoided a shutout when Dash Winningham poked a RBI single to score Mike Paez in the ninth. Ian Strom and Anthony Dimino came to the plate as the tying run in the ninth but Tarpons reliever Phillip Diehl retired both to end the game.

Tampa’s Brandon Wagner went 2 for 3 with a solo home run and RBI double.

Tarpon catcher Ryan Lidge hit a two-out, two-run homer in the second inning to make it 2-0 Tampa.

Previously in the top of the second inning the Mets had the bases loaded with one out, but Tampa starter Nick Nelson induced an-inning ending double play off the bat of Gene Cone to escape the threat.

Nelson retired the next 15 batters he faced to conclude his outing. He pitched seven scoreless innings, scattering three hits. He walked two and struck out three.

Mets starter Michael Gibbons pitched a season-high five innings and gave up three runs. He allowed four hits and walked five.

Paez went 2 for 4 with a double. Winningham extended his hitting streak to three games with his ninth inning single.

The Mets (23-30) and Tarpons (31-28) conclude their four-game series at Steinbrenner Field on Thursday. First pitch is 6:30 p.m.