PSL Mets score three in 10th to beat Blue Jays 6-3

The St. Lucie Mets scored three runs in the 10th inning Saturday night to defeat the Dunedin Blue Jays 6-3 at TD Ballpark.

The extra-inning victory snapped St. Lucie’s three-game losing streak and improved the Mets to 3-1 in extra-inning games this season. Dunedin rallied twice during regulation to tie the game but never took the lead.

Ryan Tayman opened the scoring with a two-run double in the first inning, giving St. Lucie an early 2-0 advantage. JoJo Parker tied the game with a two-run home run in the sixth.

The Mets regained the lead in the seventh when Elian Peña scored on a two-out RBI infield single by John Smith III.

St. Lucie carried a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but the Blue Jays loaded the bases with no outs against Elwis Mijares. Zack Mack entered from the bullpen and limited Dunedin to a sacrifice fly, sending the game to extra innings tied 3-3.

Peña advanced to third on a wild pitch by Noah Palmese in the top of the 10th before Wyatt Vincent delivered a sacrifice fly to put the Mets back in front.

Smith III was then hit by a pitch and later scored on another Palmese wild pitch, extending the lead to 5-3. Julio Zayas followed with an RBI single to bring home St. Lucie’s final run.

Mack retired the Blue Jays in the bottom of the 10th and induced a game-ending groundout from Jake Cook, who represented the potential tying run. Mack earned the victory after pitching two scoreless innings.

Smith III finished 2-for-3 with two singles, a walk and a hit-by-pitch. He drove in one run, scored twice and reached base in four of his five plate appearances.

Mets starter Nate Hall allowed one hit over three scoreless innings and recorded one strikeout. Jonathan Jimenez added 2⅓ scoreless innings with four strikeouts.

The Mets improved to 13-21 in the second half and 46-54 overall. The Blue Jays fell to 17-17 in the second half and 47-52 overall.

St. Lucie and Dunedin will conclude their six-game series Sunday at TD Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for noon, with the Mets seeking their second 3-3 series split of the season.