PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (July 2, 2026) – The Tampa Tarpons scored three runs in the top of the ninth to defeat the St. Lucie Mets 7-5 on Thursday night at Clover Park. The Mets’ losing streak extended to seven games. The Tarpons won their sixth straight contest.
The Mets, who had been shut out 6-0 in the first two games of the series, took a 5-4 lead to the top of the ninth. Engelth Urena led off the inning with a double off Zack Mack. Pinch runner Isael Arias stole third base and scored to tie the game 5-5 when catcher Chase Meggers’ throw sailed down the left field line.
Hans Montero singled with one out. Luis Puello then hit a RBI double to left field to bring home Montero for a 6-5 lead. Puello would later score on a two-out throwing error by shortstop Elian Peña to boost the Tarpons lead to 7-5.
The Mets threatened in the bottom of the ninth with one out and two runners on base but J.T. Etheridge got Taylor Darden to hit into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play.
Etheridge pitched the final four innings without giving up a run to get the win.
The game went back-and-forth early. Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek put Tampa up 2-0 with a two-out, two-run single in the first inning. Peña scored in the bottom of the first inning on an errant pickoff throw by Tarpons starter Wyatt Parliament to make it 2-1.
Simon Juan slugged a two-run homer in the fourth inning to give the Mets their first lead of the series, 3-2.
The Tarpons scored twice in the fifth inning against Mets reliever Joel Lara on a Montero RBI double to tie the game and a bases loaded walk drawn by David McCann to give the Tarpons a 4-3 lead.
Trey Snyder and Antonio Jimenez hit back-to-back two-out RBI doubles in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game then give the Mets a 5-4 lead.
After the Jimenez double the next 18 batters in the game were retired. Mets first baseman Julio Zayas finally ended the streak with a two-out triple in the bottom of the eighth inning but Etheridge stranded him.
Juan, Zayas and Snyder each went 2 for 4 in the loss.
Mets reliever Miguel Mejias pitched two perfect innings with four strikeouts.
The Mets (2-8, 35-41) and Tarpons (9-3, 44-34) play the fourth game of their series at Clover Park on Friday. It is the annual gigantic pre-Independence fireworks extravaganza at the ballpark, immediately following the game. Fans can purchase tickets in person at the box office or online at stluciemets.com. First pitch is 6:10 p.m.