Dunedin Blue Jays break through late, beat St. Lucie Mets 7-5

 

McIlwain goes 2 for 4, hits 5^th homer of season

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (June 26, 2021) – The Dunedin Blue Jays scored three runs in the top of the seventh to break a 3-3 tie and went on to beat the St. Lucie Mets 7-5 on Saturday night at Clover Park. 

Harry Ray led off the seventh inning for the Blue Jays with a double. He stole third base and scored on a wild pitch to put Dunedin in front 4-3. Later in the inning Mack Mueller hit a RBI double to make it 5-3. Mueller would later score on an error to give the Jays a 6-3 advantage. 

The Mets got a pair of run-scoring ground outs from Luis Gonzalez and Warren Saunders in the bottom of the seventh to cut their deficit to 6-5. 

However, Gabriel Ponce pitched the final two innings giving up just one hit to secure the Dunedin victory. It was Ponce’s fourth save. 

Mets starter J.T. Ginn took a no decision. He allowed three runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out five. Ginn retired the first eight batters he faced. 

Brandon McIlwain provided the Mets an early lead with a two-run homer in the first inning. It was his fifth long ball of the season, tying Matt Dyer for the team lead. 

Zac Cook with a two-run blast off Ginn in the third inning to tie the game 2-2. 

McIlwain hit into a bases-loaded double play to bring home a run for the Mets in the third inning for a 3-2 lead. The Blue Jays tied the game again in the fourth inning on a RBI single by Miguel Hiraldo. 

Mets reliever Christofer Dominguez (0-1) took the loss in his team debut. He gave up three runs and three hits over two innings. 

Rafael Ohashi (1-1) was credited with the win for the Blue Jays. He allowed two runs in 1.2 innings. 

McIlwain, Warren Saunders, Jose Peroza and Joe Suozzi had two hits apiece for the Mets. 

The Mets (25-21) and Blue Jays (20-26) conclude their six-game series at Clover Park on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 p.m.