On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the Mets had two games slated. The Washington Nationals traveled to Port Saint Lucie, while the Mets sent a squad to face the Marlins in Jupiter.

The Mets took down the defending World Champions by the score of 3-1 and the Mets fell to the Marlins in Jupiter by the score of 7-1.

On the Mound

The reigning National League Cy Young Jacob deGrom made his Grapefruit League debut, and as per usual, he didn’t disappoint. In three innings of work, deGrom gave up one hit, while striking out two and walking just one. According to Anthony DiComo, the first inning of work took just three minutes. Edwin Diaz bounced back nicely in his second appearance this spring.

After giving up a leadoff double to Ryan Zimmerman, he settled in and retired the next three batters. Justin Wilson also added a scoreless inning, striking out the side in the fifth. Lefty Chasen Shreve threw an eight-pitch seventh inning, striking out two. Stephen Nogosek struggled to find the zone in the top of the eighth. He walked the first two batters he faced on eight pitches, but settled in. After only giving up a sacrifice fly to Welington Castillo, he got out of the inning while only giving up one run, although he did end up walking three.

Over in Jupiter, Michael Wacha made his second start of the season, and he is making a great case to have a regular-season rotation spot so far this spring. Over three innings, Wacha did not allow a run on two hits while striking out and walking one. Pedro Payano and Kevin Smith entered after Wacha. Pedro Payano gave up a two-run home run to Marlins’ center fielder Jonathan Villar, while Kevin Smith surrendered two earned runs as well. Francisco Rios was also roughed up in Jupiter, giving up three runs, two of which were earned.

At The Plate

Jeff McNeil was leading off for the team in Port Saint Lucie, and hit two singles, making Luis Rojas‘ decision to lead either he or Brandon Nimmo off come opening day. Speaking of Nimmo, he did his typical walk and sprint to first in the early stages of the game. He did not record a hit, however, and stranded two runners on base. Robinson Cano opened the scoring in the first for the Mets, ripping a two-run double into the outfield.

Although it is spring, and these games are something to be taken with a grain of salt. Hopefully, a solid spring can lead to a bounce-back season for the second baseman. Tim Tebow, who ultimately replaced Cano, also registered a single as well.  The Mets were held scoreless after the two-run first until the bottom of the sixth. The birthday boy Michael Conforto hit a moon shot for his first home run of the spring.

The road Mets, however, did not have too many bright spots in their line up, besides Eduardo Núñez. The 32-year-old who joined the Mets on a minor league deal, had two hits in his three at-bats before being subbed out for Rene Rivera. Dominic Smith made the trip, and had an 0-3 day, striking out once. Each pitcher seemed to have a grip on the Mets that took the road trip, as there weren’t many regulars besides Smith and Jake Marisnick. The typical catcher who surprisingly made an appearance at third base today, Rene Rivera worked a walk with the bases loaded to finally get the Mets on the board in the eighth.

On Deck

After a split-squad day on Sunday, the Mets will have the day off on Monday. Their team bonding activity on their day off is reported to be rodeo night. Grapefruit League action resumes as the Miami Marlins make a trip to Jupiter.