Mets pitcher Walker Lockett made his second appearance of the spring Monday against the Marlins.
Though he gave up three hits, and several hard hit balls, Lockett made it through three innings without giving up a run. He has not given up a run in his two outings. Later in the game, Seth Lugo made his spring debut and pitched an effective inning after spelling Lockett.
Jonathan Villar led off the game for Miami and singled sharply, but was picked off first by Lockett. Corey Dickerson also lined a single in the first, but Lockett escaped the inning unscathed as Brandon Nimmo caught Jesus Aguilar’s hard line drive to end the inning.
The Marlins also led off the second with a hit, this off the bat of Matt Joyce, and it was another well-struck ball. Joyce was erased on a double play and Lockett recorded the final out and retired the Marlins one-two-three in the third.
Overall, Lockett went three innings, allowed three hits, no walks and two strikeouts. He threw 33 pitches, 20 of them strikes. He is coming off an uneven year for the Mets and it certainly would be nice to see Lockett eat up some innings if the need arises.
Lockett hit 95 MPH with his fastball multiple times, he averaged 93 MPH last season in the big leagues.
In the fourth inning, Seth Lugo made his spring debut for the Mets after battling a nagging fracture to his left pinkie toe. He pitched well, retiring the Marlins in order on 15 pitches, 10 of which were strikes. His outs were on a ground out, strikeout (swinging) and a popout to short.
Lugo has already proved his health by completing a 29 pitch simulated game on Thursday without incident. At this rate, Lugo should be ready for Opening Day and Mets fans will no doubt be pleased to see the anchor of the bullpen in 2019 be ready to go in 2020.
