Photo by Ed Delany of MMO
David Peterson took the mound in Port St. Lucie, looking to improve his stellar spring numbers and fight for the last spot in the Mets’ rotation. A day after Tylor Megill—who is also fighting for the last Mets’ rotation spot—threw four scoreless innings, Peterson matched his competition.
He made his way through the top of the first perfectly, getting Keibert Ruiz to ground out and recording consecutive strikeouts against Corey Dickerson and Alex Call. Overall, Peterson struck out five batters, walked one, and allowed zero earned runs over four innings of work. Peterson has yet to allow an earned run the entire spring and holds an impressive 0.50 WHIP.
Cade Cavalli—a top prospect in the Nationals system—took the mound for the Nationals. His stuff was solid, as he struck out one batter and didn’t allow a run over 2 2/3 innings. Cavalli, unfortunately, hurt his throwing arm in the third inning and was removed from the game.
The Nationals scored the first run of the game in the top of the fifth inning, once John Curtiss came in to relieve Peterson. CJ Abrams led off the inning with a single to right field and advanced to third base after stealing two bases. After striking out Victor Robles and Stone Garrett, Curtiss allowed a single to Michael Chavis to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead.
Scoring picked up again in the top of the eighth when the Nationals added on to their lead. Facing William Woods, Garrett lead-off the inning with a double down the left-field line. After retiring Chavis, Francisco Arcia singled to right field to increase the Nationals’ lead to 2-0.
Still pitching in the top of the ninth, the wheels fell off for Woods. After loading the bases after hitting two batters and allowing a single to Leandro Emiliani, Woods allowed a single to Elijah Green to increase the Nationals’ lead to 3-0. The Nationals didn’t stop there, increasing their lead to 5-0 after Garrett brought in two more runs with a soft single to center field.
The Mets’ offense fell flat in the ninth inning after the Nationals expanded their lead. Former Met Anthony Banda retired Nick Meyer, Jaylin Davis, and Jett Williams consecutively to end the game. The Mets’ offense was flat the entire game, recording four hits in nine innings, three of which were singles.
Player of the Game
David Peterson shined in his third spring outing of the year, striking out five batters over four innings of work. While he hasn’t allowed a run this spring training, his 0.50 WHIP has been more impressive. Peterson—who holds a 1.324 career WHIP—has walked four and allowed zero hits in eight spring innings.
On Deck
The Cardinals come to Port St. Lucie tomorrow to face the Mets. The Cardinals have named Connor Thomas as the starter for Wednesday’s game. The Mets have not announced a starter. The game will be available on SNY and Cardinals radio, with first pitch at 1:1o p.m.
