PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Tarpons look to extend their dominance over the St. Lucie Mets on Saturday, July 4, in a 4:00 p.m. contest at Clover Park.

Tampa (44-34) has won four consecutive games against its in-state rival, including a 7-5 victory Thursday and a 1-0 shutout Friday. The Tarpons have not lost to the Mets since May 3.

Right-hander J.T. Etheridge takes the mound for Tampa. He earned the win Thursday, allowing two hits and zero earned runs with six strikeouts over 4.0 innings against St. Lucie. Etheridge has been inconsistent this season, but he has posted two scoreless outings in his last three starts.

The Tarpons’ offense has been productive during the series. Hans Montero went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Thursday’s win. Tampa has averaged 6.5 runs per game against St. Lucie over the last four meetings.

St. Lucie (35-41) counters with right-hander Joel Lara. He also pitched Thursday, taking a no-decision after allowing two earned runs and three hits over 4.0 innings with seven strikeouts. Lara has been effective this month, yielding one earned run or fewer in three of his last four appearances.

The Mets have lost six of their last seven games overall. Their most recent victory came June 28 against Fort Myers. St. Lucie’s Simon Juan homered and drove in two runs Thursday.

The forecast calls for isolated thunderstorms with temperatures near 87 degrees at first pitch. The Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-2 victory for Tampa.

After the game, Tampa travels home to host Clearwater in a six-game series beginning Tuesday. St. Lucie heads to Jupiter for a six-game set starting Tuesday.