Pujols powers Threshers past Mets, 6-3

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (July 24, 2018) – The Clearwater Threshers beat the St. Lucie Mets 6-3 on Wednesday afternoon at First Data Field.

Highly touted Phillies prospect Jose Pujols went 4 for 5 with a home run, two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored. His two-run homer in the ninth inning extended a one-run lead to a 6-3 lead. It was his 16^th long ball of the year, placing him in the top three in the Florida State League.

Mets starter and No. 2 prospect David Peterson got back on track. The lefty held the Threshers to one earned run and six hits over 5.2 innings.

Peterson and the Mets were poised to get out of the sixth inning with the game tied 1-1. However, a ground ball to second base off the bat of Kyle Martin was booted for an error. Mickey Moniak scored from third to give the Threshers a 2-1 lead. After a pitching change, Raul Rivas belted a RBI double to make it 3-1.

A sac fly from Moniak in the seventh increased the Threshers lead to 4-1.

The Mets tried to rally in the seventh. Dale Burdick hit a triple and scored a single from Raphael Gladu. Mike Paez lifted a RBI sac fly that plated Luis Carpio to trim the deficit to 4-3.

The Mets had two runners on with two outs in the eighth inning but reliever Jonathan Hennigan was able to escape the jam.

Pujols put the game away with the two-run shot in the top of the ninth. Addison Russ locked down his second save of the series with a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth.

Carpio’s 10-game hitting streak came to an end. He went 0 for 3 but did draw two walks.

Gladu, Paez and Wuilmer Becerra had two hits apiece.

Clearwater starter McKenzie Mills earned his first win of the season. He limited the Mets to one run over six innings.