The New York Mets opened up the 2017 Spring Training season with a 3-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox behind solo home runs by Michael Conforto and Gavin Cecchini as well as solid pitching from by Seth Lugo, Marcos Molina and Rafael Montero.
What we learned from Terry Collins after the game –
Michael Conforto Strong Start Needs To Continue
“He’s got to show he belongs back in the big leagues,” Collins said about Conforto who is expected to start the season in Triple-A . “That’s what he’s got to do. He’s got to go swing the bat and he’s going to play all three outfield positions this spring and show us his swing is back. Today was a good start.”
“My job is to go out there and work hard and work on things I think I know I need to work and be a better player,” Conforto said after his long blast led to a Mets victory. “I need to go out there and play the game and have fun and the rest will take care of itself.”
Conforto homered to right field off Kyle Kendrick and had an opposite field single off Henry Owens.
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Loser(s) In 5th Starter Battle Go To Vegas
Terry Collins reiterated what will happen between the fifth starter battle involving Zack Wheeler, Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo who pitched today. One and possibly two can start the season in Triple-A.
“I don’t know who it will be, but we’ve got to have somebody in Triple-A that we know we can go get in case somebody goes down,” Collins said regarding the fifth starter situation and having depth in the minors. “I don’t have any names for you, but certainly we’ve just got to make sure we’ve got some backups.”
Lugo started to make his case for the 5th starter spot with two scoreless and hitless innings in his first spring start. He struck out three and walked one.
“I thought he was pretty good,” Collins added about Seth Lugo’s performance. “He’s got to get command of his curveball, which is a pretty big pitch for him, but for the most part all of his pitches were right out over the plate.”
