The Mets (2-1) traveled to CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on Monday for an intra-division matchup against the Washington Nationals. Max Kranick started the game, his first appearance in a Mets uniform, against Josiah Gray, who silenced the Mets offense in two starts last year (0 ER in 12 IP). Both pitched two clean innings, but after their departures, the Mets were able to take the lead first and hold it. Ultimately, they won by a score of 6-3.

Photo by Ed Delaney, MMO

Kranick was perfect in his Mets debut, allowing no baserunners in two innings and collecting two strikeouts. Following his outing, Kranick said of playing for the Mets: “I love it. It’s my favorite team growing up… communication’s great, coaching, all that stuff. It’s pretty fun.” Auditioning for a spot on the major league roster, Kranick certainly made a great impression in his first outing for the Mets.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed this after the game, saying “I thought he was really good. The way he attacked the zone and the way he uses his pitches… overall, I thought he did a really good job.”

Josiah Gray was dominant in his two innings of work, but the Mets offense woke up immediately following his departure. The big blow came in the third inning when Trayce Thompson cleared the bases with a grand slam to put the Mets ahead 4-0. Thompson came through again on his next turn at-bat in the fifth inning with an RBI single to extend the Met lead to five.

Thompson spoke following his performance about what has stood out about the Mets compared to other teams he’s been with: “I’ve been extremely impressed with how available everything is, and everyone seems like they’re there to help you. ‘Cause at the end of the day, it’s about helping the New York Mets win… extremely impressive on all fronts.”

Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

In addition to Thompson, the Mets got multi-hit games from Pete Alonso, who finished 2-for-2 with two doubles and a walk, and Luisangel Acuña, who picked up his first hits of the spring. The only other Mets run to score outside of Thompson’s at-bats was on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Zack Short in the ninth inning.

Following three combined scoreless innings out of the bullpen from Tyler Stuart and Sean Reid-Foley, Eric Orze and Cam Robinson surrendered a combined three runs, managing to keep the Nationals in the game late. Fortunately, though, the Nationals were unable to keep up the attack, and the Mets hung on to win the game by a score of 6-3.

Positive Prospect Performances

The Mets got contributions from many of their top prospects in this game. Luisangel Acuña picked up his first two hits of spring training, both opposite field singles; Tyler Stuart threw two clean innings, allowing a hit, a walk, and recording one strikeout; Jett Williams legged out an infield single and scored a run; and Drew Gilbert didn’t have a giant impact, but he did record a walk to get on base for the first time this spring. The Mets have a lot of prospects to be excited about, and this group showed why during the victory.

Players of the Game: Max Kranick & Trayce Thompson

Kranick and Thompson were the two best players on the field today. Kranick is questionable to make the Opening Day roster, and Thompson’s chances are even less likely. Still, they put in outstanding performances with Kranick throwing two perfect innings and Thompson finishing the day 2-for-3 with a grand slam and an RBI single, accounting for five of the Mets’ six runs.

On Deck

The Mets play their fourth game of spring training on Tuesday at 1:10 p.m. ET against the Miami Marlins. The Mets will travel back home to Clover Park in Port St. Lucie for the game, with Adrian Houser projected to start in his first outing in a Mets uniform. The game will be broadcast on SNY.