Zach MacDonald hit two home runs as the Lakeland Flying Tigers defeated the St. Lucie Mets 11-1 on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The loss extended the St. Lucie Mets’ losing streak to five games. The Mets have lost nine of their last 10 games.
MacDonald’s two home runs raised his season total to 21, tying Jupiter’s Echedry Vargas for the Florida State League lead. MacDonald hit his first home run, a two-run shot, in the second inning off St. Lucie Mets starter Ethan Lanthier. The home run gave Lakeland a 2-0 lead.
Lakeland Flying Tigers build early lead
Angel De Los Santos hit a two-run double off St. Lucie Mets reliever Zack Mack in the fourth inning, with both runs charged to Lanthier. De Los Santos later scored on a sacrifice fly to give Lakeland a 5-0 lead. MacDonald hit his second home run in the sixth inning, increasing the lead to 6-0.
The Lakeland Flying Tigers scored four runs in the seventh inning against Dillon Stiltner. The runs came on an error, a wild pitch, a groundout and an RBI single by De Los Santos. Lakeland left the inning with a 10-0 lead.
De Los Santos went 3-for-6 for the second consecutive game. Cameron Flukey, Detroit’s No. 22 overall first-round draft pick, made the second start of his professional career and pitched two scoreless innings with one hit and two strikeouts. Donye Evans followed with two scoreless innings and earned the win.
St. Lucie Mets score once
Kuhio Aloy drove in the St. Lucie Mets’ only run with a single in the eighth inning. The hit ended the Mets’ 0-for-36 streak with runners in scoring position. Jeremy Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with two singles, two walks and two stolen bases.
Rodriguez reached base seven consecutive times from the end of Tuesday’s game through the first seven innings Wednesday. Reed Stallman went 2-for-4 with a double and has doubled in consecutive games. Lanthier took the loss after allowing four runs in 4.1 innings.
Julio Zayas, a St. Lucie Mets position player, pitched a scoreless ninth inning and stranded an inherited runner. It was his third relief appearance in the last three weeks. The appearance completed the St. Lucie Mets’ pitching work in the 11-1 loss.
Series continues Thursday
The St. Lucie Mets entered the game with a 17-32 second-half record and a 50-65 overall record. The Lakeland Flying Tigers entered with a 24-24 second-half record and a 55-58 overall record. The teams will play the third game of the series Thursday at Clover Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:10 p.m.
Thursday is Strike Out Hunger Night. Fans who bring five non-perishable food items for the Treasure Coast Food Bank will receive a free ticket. The game also is $2 Night, featuring $2 select beer, hot dogs, fountain soda and popcorn.
Source: Original report