The St. Lucie Mets knocked off the Fort Myers Miracle 5-1 making four runs scored in the first three innings Sunday afternoon at Hammond Stadium hold up the rest of the way.
Mets starter Gonzalez German went seven strong innings allowing just one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. The only Miracle run came in the bottom of the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Lance Ray.
St. Lucie got the scoring started in the first inning when Cory Vaughn blasted a first-pitch fastball over the left field fence off of Miracle starter Jose Gonzalez. With originally scheduled starter B.J. Hermsen called up to the New Britain Rock Cats (AA), Gonzalez (0-3) lasted three innings and allowed four runs on four hits in a spot start.
The Mets plated three in the third inning with a patient approach. They put together two hits, two walks, and a hit batter to create bases loaded opportunities. Robbie Shields picked up an RBI walk, Wilmer Flores drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Cesar Puello followed with a RBI single.
Miracle reliever Ricky Bowen was roughed up for a solo homer off the bat of Juan Torres in the sixth inning.
German improved to (3-0) in four starts. Bruce Pugh pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth innings. The Fort Myers offense produced only one run in 18 innings against St. Lucie in the series.
The Miracle (9-14) wrap up a six-game homestand Monday hoping to avoid a sweep by the Mets (19-4).
