Using a 15-hit attack and solid pitching, a split-squad of Houston Astros defeated the New York Mets 10-1 at First Data Field in Port St. Lucie. The loss dropped the Mets to 1-1 this spring. Chuckie Robinson hit a three-run home run for the Astros as part of a six-run sixth inning to put the game away for Houston.
Jacob deGrom started for the Mets and gave up one run on two hits throwing 17 pitches in the frame. He pitched only one inning in his spring debut as he was lifted in the second for David Peterson. The Mets used nine pitchers today, each pitching one inning.
Houston center fielder Myles Straw made the defensive play of the game robbing Tim Tebow of extra bases in the bottom of the first. The Met were trailing 1-0 and had two men on when Straw made a diving catch to rob Tebow of extra bases and perhaps two RBIs.
Tony Kemp had two hits and a walk in for the Astros (now 1-1 this spring) with two RBIs.
David Thompson had a shaky game at third for the Mets with two errors. Tim Tebow also dropped a foul fly that, if caught, could have gotten deGrom out of first inning difficulty.
Pitching:
Jacob deGrom started for the Mets and gave up a double to Tony Kemp. With two outs, Tyler White drove him with a two-out single.
David Peterson pitched the second inning for the Mets and the Astros scored three runs on a walk, a single by Straw and a two-run triple by Tony Kemp. Kyle Tucker drove in the third and final run of the frame singling in Kemp.
Paul Sewald entered in the third inning and pitched a scoreless inning working around a double by Tyler White.
Tim Peterson and Ryan O’Rourke pitched a scoreless fourth and fifth inning respectively. O’Rourke had to work through a bases-loaded, one out situation in his inning.
The game effectively ended in the sixth inning when Arquimedes Caminero came in for the Mets. Nine Astros came to the plate in the inning scoring six runs (five earned) with the big blow the three-run homer by Robinson. Ronnie Dawson, Granden Goetzman, and A.J. Reed also had RBIs in the frame. The score was 10-1 and that turned out to be the final.
Casey Coleman, Joshua Torres, and Ryder Ryan pitched scoreless innings for the Mets to complete the game.
Offense:
The Mets only managed six hits in the game and scored one run and that came in the second inning. Luis Guillorme hit a ground rule double off of Houston starter Rogelio Armenteros. The next batter, Gregor Blanco drove him with a single to plate the Mets only run.
Wilson Ramos made his spring debut catching for the Mets and had a solid offensive outing going two for two. Pete Alonso had another hit today as did Dominic Smith. The Astros used five pitchers in the game and they were effective keeping the Mets bats silent. Akeem Bostick spelled Armenteros in the third. He was followed by J.B. Bukauskas , Brandon Bielak and Kit Scheetz.
On Deck:
The Mets will travel to FITTEAM Ballpark of Palm Beach County to play the Houston Astros again at 1:05 p.m. Noah Syndergaard will make his spring debut tomorrow for the Mets who look to bounce back after a tough loss.
