Bats Stifled As Mets Fall To Astros 2-1

The New York Mets (3-3) took on the Houston Astros (3-4) at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, FL. It was the Mets’ sixth spring training game this season. The contest was a low scoring affair, as the Astros ultimately emerged victorious by a score of 2-1.

Tylor Megill started the game for the Mets in his second appearance of spring. He went 3 2/3 innings tallying four strikeouts. Megill pitched well enough but was hampered by two errors and timely hitting by the Astros. He ultimately left the game with the Mets down 2-0.

Marcel Renteria faced one batter in relief of Megill before new Met Adam Ottavino came in to pitch in the bottom of the fifth. Ottavino pitched well, tossing a 1-2-3 inning while posting a strikeout.

Trevor May pitched the sixth inning for the Mets, his first appearance of the spring. The Astros’ radio announcers commented that May did not look sharp. They explained he was throwing hard but missing his locations. May gave up a single and tossed a wild pitch before settling down and striking out the next two batters.

Lefty Rob Zastryzny came in for the seventh inning. The bullpen hopeful worked quickly and pitched another 1-2-3 inning. Alex Claudio finished up the game for the Mets, pitching the eighth inning. It was his third appearance of the spring, and he also sat down the side in order.

In the field, Travis Jankowski’s great defense was on display once again. He made a diving catch in the first inning to rob Alex Bregman of a hit. Unfortunately, J.D. Davis’s struggles at third continued. He had two errors and could not corral a hard-hit ball from Bregman in the bottom of the sixth that was ruled a hit. In that same inning, Emmanuel Valdez tried to take advantage of Davis’s arm by attempting to score from second on a single to third base. He was ultimately thrown out at the plate by Dominic Smith.

At the dish, things started out slow when the Mets went down 1-2-3 in the first. They got runners into scoring position the next three innings, but did not score. Tomas Nido came up with the bases loaded in the second inning but grounded into an inning-ending double play.

The Mets finally broke through in the fifth inning. Luis Guillorme led off with a walk and Francisco Lindor followed with a ground ball single. Guillorme would end up scoring on Daniel Palka’s two-out single up the middle. Jankowski’s skills were on display again in the sixth inning, when he led off with a bunt single. He stole second on a pick off attempt, but was ultimately stranded.

The Mets’ bats were quiet in the seventh inning, with Lindor, Smith, and Pete Alonso going down in order. Other than a Palka walk, the Mets were stifled again in the eighth. Brett Baty (who came in the bottom of the seventh to play third) singled in top of the ninth to give the Mets a sliver of hope. However, Francisco Alvarez struck out as a pinch hitter to end the game.

In all, the Mets left 11 runners on base and were 2-for-9 as a team with runners in scoring position. They also struck out 12 times and only recorded seven hits. Luckily, this is only spring training. On a more positive note, the Mets’ batters collectively had six walks.

Player of the Game: Travis Jankowski

There was not a whole lot individually that stood out for the Mets. However, Jankowski excelled. He went 2-for-3 at the plate and also swiped a bag. In the field, he flashed the reason why he was brought to New York: his glove, as he made a diving play. Overall, a nice showing for a player trying to win a job this spring.

On Deck:

The Mets are back in action Saturday at 1:05 PM ET against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park in Port Saint Lucie. David Peterson will start for the Mets and Taijuan Walker is also scheduled to pitch.