PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – The Florida State League South Division semifinal comes down to a decisive Game Three tonight at Clover Park between the St. Lucie Mets and the Daytona Tortugas. First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m., with the winner advancing to the league championship series. Fans can purchase tickets at stluciemets.com or at the Clover Park box office.
The game will stream live on MiLB.TV and for free on Bally Sports Live, with first pitch at 6:10 p.m. from Clover Park.
Daytona evened the best-of-three series on Thursday night with a 7-2 victory over St. Lucie. The Mets had taken Game One 4-2 on the road Wednesday, but defensive miscues doomed them in Game Two as four errors led to early Tortugas runs.
The Tortugas struck quickly in the top of the first inning, capitalizing on a dropped third strike and errant throw that allowed two runs to score. The Mets answered in the bottom of the first when No. 9 prospect Mitch Voit singled and Antonio Jimenez followed with an RBI knock to make it 2-1. AJ Salgado’s fielder’s choice tied the game 2-2.
St. Lucie committed four errors that set the tone for the night after taking the opener 4-2 in Daytona. The miscues began on the first batter when third baseman Jeremy Rodriguez mishandled a grounder that put Kley Henley aboard. Moments later, catcher Daiverson Gutierrez’s throw sailed home on a dropped third-strike play, allowing Henley and Alfredo Duno to score for a quick 2-0 Tortugas lead.
The Mets answered in the bottom half. No. 9 prospect Mitch Voit singled to right and Antonio Jimenez followed with an RBI single to left that cut the deficit to 2-1. Jimenez advanced to second on the throw and scored when AJ Salgado grounded into a force play to tie it 2-2.
Daytona responded immediately in the second. Rafhlmil Torres ripped an RBI single and Duno drilled a two-run knock off the left-center field wall to stretch the lead to 5-2. In the third, Torres brought in another run with a groundout and Ichiro Cano capped the scoring with an RBI single to right for 7-2.
St. Lucie starter Daviel Hurtado was tagged for five earned runs over 2.2 innings before manager Luis Rivera went to the bullpen. Reliever Luis Alvarez steadied things with 2.1 scoreless frames and Omar Victorino added four more without damage, but the offense never broke through again against relievers Jacob Edwards and Ben Brutti.
Daytona’s staff held the Mets to just seven singles. Rodriguez finished 2-for-4 from the nine spot in the order.
Voit, who jumped into pro ball after a standout junior season at Michigan, reflected postgame on the early learning curve.
“It’s been amazing. They’ve treated me really nicely. A lot of smart staff members and I can’t wait to continue this journey. The guys in the clubhouse are super competitive and it makes for a great culture.”
On wearing the Mets uniform, Voit added: “It’s a huge honor and a great opportunity. You just try and make the most of it.”
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Jimenez, a Top 30 Mets prospect, spoke about his adjustment from UCF to professional ball.
“Luis Rivera has been nothing but family. Just open arms for me and all the newcomers. I’m still having fun out there and staying true to my game. I got here for a reason and I just want to keep taking it one day at a time.”
Jimenez also reflected on his lifelong connection to the Mets.
“My first team when I was four years old was the Mets. To now have the opportunity to play here is special. Seeing alumni come around and watching current teammates push themselves makes me want to work even harder every day.”
He credited Voit as a close friend and roommate during his transition.
Finally Jimenez pointed to Francisco Lindor as his role model.
“I love Lindor. The way he’s calm defensively with his hands and rhythm and how his bat stays calm in big situations. I just want to learn from him and pick his brain.”
New York Mets
No. 9 – 2B Mitch Voit
No. 30 – SS Antonio Jimenez
Cincinnati Reds
No. 3 – C Alfredo Duno
No. 4 – SS Tyson Lewis
No. 12 – OF Arnaldo Lantigua
No. 13 – OF Mason Neville
No. 14 – TWP Sheng-En Lin
No. 15 – RHP Mason Morris
No. 17 – RHP Luke Holman
No. 26 – LHP Tristan Smith
No. 27 – RHP Cole Schoenwetter
No. 28 – RHP JeanPierre Ortiz
No. 29 – RHP Ty Floyd
For more MLB Pipeline coverage, read Matt Tallarini’s feature: Thirteen MLBPipeline.com Top 100 Prospects Will Play in 2025 Arizona Fall League Season
With the series tied at one apiece, St. Lucie and Daytona meet Friday night at Clover Park in a winner-take-all Game Three. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m.
