A split-squad of the New York Mets defeated the Detroit Tigers by a score of 7-3 this afternoon at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie. Bartolo Colon started and earned the win, allowing one run in 3.0 innings pitched.
Antonio Bastardo and Jeurys Familia tossed a scoreless frame each, but Jerry Blevins didn’t fare as well allowing a run on a hit and two walks. Josh Smoker pitched another scoreless inning despite a single and a walk.
Offensively, the Mets waged a seven run attack spearheaded by second baseman Neil Walker who went 1-3 with a solo home run, first baseman Lucas Duda went 2-3 with a two-run homer off a left-handed pitcher, and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera went 1-3 with a two-RBI single.
Yoenis Cespedes was the Mets’ designated hitter and went 1-3 with an RBI while Alejandro De Aza started in center field and went 1-2 with a walk and a run scored out of the leadoff spot. De Aza is batting .444 so far this Spring.
The Mets showcased a bunch of their top prospects in this game. Wuilmer Becerra started in right field and went 0-3 with two strikeouts and a run scored. The organization’s top shortstop prospect Amed Rosario made a nice impression, stroking a solid line drive single in the 7th.
All infielder T.J. Rivera does is hit and today’s game was no different as he lined a clean single to right field that scored catcher Johnny Monell with the team’s seventh run of the game. Other Mets prospects making a cameo today were CF John Mora, DH Jayce Boyd, 1B Dominic Smith, 2B L.J. Mazzilli, and 3B Jeff McNeil.
Steven Matz had a nice outing in Jupiter today, however the Mets were defeated by the St. Louis Cardinals by a score of 9-4. The young southpaw allowed a run in 3.0 innings pitched and he struck out the side in the 2nd.
Jeff Walters got pasted by the Cards in relief, allowing them five runs – four earned – on four hits and walk before he was pulled in the 4th inning after getting just one out. Hansel Robles allowed two unearned runs. The Mets defense committed four errors in the game.
First baseman Marc Krauss was the Mets hitting star of the day, going 2-3 with a double and an RBI. Daniel Muno and Travis Taijeron each had a hit and drove in a run.
On Tuesday, Matt Harvey will make his spring debut against the Atlanta Braves in Orlando at 1:05 PM.
