Flying Tigers take advantage of errors, beat Mets 6-2
Ogden picks up first pro hit
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (August 20, 2026) – The Lakeland Flying took advantage of a pair of errors by scoring five unearned runs in a 6-2 win over the St. Lucie Mets on Thursday night at Clover Park. The Mets lost their sixth straight game and have lost 10 of their last 11. Lakeland has won seven of its last eight games.
Mets infielder Jake Ogden hit a two-run single in the second inning to give St. Lucie a 2-1 lead. It was the first lead for the Mets in the series. It was also the first professional hit for Ogden, who was signed after the draft out of the University of Miami.
The Flying Tigers tied the game in the fourth inning. Anibal Salas hit a ground ball off the glove of first baseman Julio Zayas and the ball bounced into the outfield allowing Zach MacDonald to score from second base on the error to make it 2-2.
Lakeland scored three more unearned runs in the fifth inning. Jude Warwick took a leadoff walk from Mets reliever Austin Brown and scored from second base on a throwing error by shortstop Boston Baro to put the Flying Tigers up 3-2. Angel De Los Santos, who reached on the error, stole second and third base. He scored on an infield hit by MacDonald to make it 4-2. MacDonald stole two bases and scored on a single by Brady Ballinger to increase the lead to 5-2.
Javier Osorio capped the scoring in the game with a solo home run off Christian Rodriguez in the eighth inning.
The Mets offense didn’t have many chances after the Odgen two-run single in the second inning. The Mets loaded the bases on three walks by Johnathan Rogers in the sixth inning but Rogers got Vladi Gomez to line out sharply to first base to end the inning.
Lakeland starter Cale Wetwiska held the Mets to two runs over 5.0 innings to get the win. He struck out eight.
Mets starter Nate Hall pitched 3.0 innings and allowed one unearned run.
Brown took the loss. He pitched 1.2 innings and gave up four runs, all of which were unearned. His ERA remains 0.00 through three relief appearances with the team.
Rodriguez finished the game on the mound for the Mets, turning in 4.1 impressive innings. The only run he allowed was the Osorio long ball. Rodriguez struck out four and threw just 49 pitches.
Lakeland reliever Frenny Grant shut out the Mets over the final three innings to get his first save.
The Mets (17-33, 50-66) and Flying Tigers (25-24, 55-58) play the fourth game of their series at Clover Park on Friday at 6:10 p.m. It’s Autism Awareness Night. The Mets will wear special jerseys to support Surfers For Autism. The game will be “sensory friendly” with lower PA volume, a quiet room and the debut of sensory bags that fans can check out at the information booth.
It’s also Vets at the Mets. All veterans and active duty military receive free admission.
Kids 14-and-under can run the bases after the game.