AP Sports Preview

TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — The St. Lucie Mets and Tampa Tarpons, both 10-13, meet Thursday at George M. Steinbrenner Field in the second game of a series that opened with a doubleheader sweep by the Tarpons.

Tampa took both ends of Wednesday’s twinbill, winning 7-4 and 7-6. Hans Montero went 3-for-3 with two RBIs in the first game, and Tyler Boudreau threw four scoreless innings of relief. Enmanuel Tejeda added a hit in the opener. For St. Lucie, Edward Lantigua drove in two runs in the second game, while Conner Ware took the loss, allowing four earned runs over four innings.

St. Lucie will send right-hander R.J. Gordon (0-0) and left-hander Justin West (1-2) to the mound. Gordon makes his season debut; West has a 5.40 ERA across his previous outings. Frank Camarillo is a pitcher to watch for the Mets — he allowed three earned runs on three hits with seven strikeouts over five innings in Wednesday’s 7-6 loss. In his prior start April 22, he yielded two earned runs over five innings in a win against Palm Beach.

Mac Heuer is the key arm for Tampa. He threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday’s 7-6 win, allowing one earned run and striking out four. He has not allowed a run in his past two relief appearances.

The Mets have lost four straight after being swept at home by Palm Beach from April 21-26. Tampa has won three of its past four games, including a series win at Lakeland. The Interstat game simulator projects a 5-4 victory for St. Lucie.

The teams continue the series Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Steinbrenner Field. St. Lucie then travels to Lakeland for a six-game set beginning Tuesday; Tampa heads to Fort Myers for a six-game series starting the same day.

First pitch Thursday is scheduled for 7 p.m.