The New York Mets traveled to Jupiter and defeated the Miami Marlins by a score of 11-0 on Sunday. The Mets pounded out a 15-hit attack while shutting out the Fish in the first of three games the Mets will play at Roger Dean Stadium this week.
Another very impressive spring start for Matt Harvey who delivered four scoreless innings against the Marlins and held them to just one hit and two walks while striking out four. The Mets’ right-hander tossed 50 pitches, 32 of them for strikes, and looked to be in mid-season form. His fastball was in the upper nineties today and he hit 99 mph on the radar gun a few times. Before the game the Mets announced a Matt Harvey Bobblehead Day for August 27.
Closer Jeurys Familia followed Harvey with a perfect fifth inning that included two strikeouts. His fastball topped out at 95 mph, which is a few ticks low for him, but I attribute that to entering game in a non adrenaline rush situation. By the way, I emphatically deny the rumors I’m being promoted to MMO Pitching Analyst.
Jerry Blevins, Antonio Bastardo and Jeff Walters each pitched a hitless and scoreless frame as the Mets pitching took a one-hit shutout into the ninth. But Buddy Carlyle did allow a pair of hits in the ninth but kept the Marlins off the board to preserve the shutout.
Playing second base today, Ruben Tejada had another great game going 2-for-3 with a two run double in the second inning, and an RBI triple in the fourth. That’s three RBIs and a run scored for the day.
In the fifth inning, Alejandro De Aza doubled and scored on an RBI single by Yoenis Cespedes who now has hit in six straight spring games.
Catcher Johnny Monell and outfielder Travis Taijeron – who continues to impress – each stroked two-run doubles to break the game open in the seventh inning. T.J. Rivera tacked on another pair of runs with a two-run single. Taijeron now has 10 RBI in 10 Grapefruit League games.
Note: Dilson Herrera fouled a ball off the inside of his left knee in the ninth inning and was removed from the game. He limped off field and into the trainer’s room. Herrera was due to leave for WBC qualifier on Monday.
On Monday, the New York Mets will travel to Lakeland, Fla. to play the Detroit Tigers. Jacob deGrom gets the starting nod for the Mets in a 1:05 PM contest.
