Game Recap and Highlights: P.B. Cardinals Rally in 8th, Beat St. Lucie Mets 4-2

 

 5.2 IP, 1 R, 0 BB for Colon in no-decision 

JUPITER, Fla. (June 22, 2022) – The Palm Beach Cardinals scored three times in the bottom of the eighth to complete a 4-2 comeback win over the St. Lucie Mets on Wednesday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. (Box Score)

Trailing 2-1 entering the eighth, the Cardinals managed to take the lead without a hit. Mets reliever Daniel Jaurez hit the first batter of the inning and walked the next two hitters to load the bases. Juarez then threw a wild pitch that allowed Matt Chamberlain to score and tie the game 2-2. 

Juarez (2-1) rebounded to get the next two batters, keeping the go-ahead run at third base. However, Reyson Santos came out the bullpen and threw a wild pitch to let in Brady Whalen for a 3-2 Cardinals lead. Sander Mora singled later in the inning to drive in a third run to make it 4-2. 

Entering the eighth inning the Mets pitching staff had not walked a batter in the prior 17 innings of the series. 

In the top of the ninth Fernando Villalobos drew a two-out walk and Gregory Guerrero belted a double to give the Mets a chance. However, Hayes Heinecke (3-3) got Alex Ramirez to ground out to end the threat and strand the tying run in scoring position. 

Six Cardinals pitchers combined to issue nine walks, but the Mets only got two hits. Both were from Guerrero. 

Guerrero smashed a RBI single off Cardinals starter Tink Hence in the third inning to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. Villalobos scored from third base later in the inning on a passed ball to put the Mets up 2-0. 

For most of the game that looked like just enough offense. Mets starter Jeffrey Colon was excellent, limiting the Cardinals to one run on five hits over 5.2 innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out five. 

Colon retired the first 11 batters he faced. Brady Whalen broke up any hope of a no-hitter with a bunt single with two outs in the fourth inning. 

The Mets (40-24) and Cardinals (29-34) meet again on Thursday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. It will be the final game of the first half. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

 

 

Strong performance by Jeffrey Colon tonight! 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K. pic.twitter.com/W5XNRzJT1m

— St. Lucie Mets (@stluciemets) June 23, 2022