The Mets finally took the field today in Viera against the Washington Nationals with Rafael Montero getting the start in the Grapefruit League opener. It did not go as planned at they lost the first game by a 9-4 score and Montero lasted only one inning.
Here are some notes from the pitchers:
- Montero struggled with his control, needing 42 pitches to get through the first inning as he seemed to be nibbling the strike zone. He also allowed a couple of two strike hits.
- Gabriel Ynoa pitched three scoreless innings allowing only one hit and struck out Bryce Harper swinging with a good changeup. Eyewitness report said he was throwing a solid breaking ball. We recently ranked Ynoa our number 14 prospect over at MetsMinors.net.
- Dario Alvarez couldn’t throw strikes as he walked three batters and gave up one run. Consistently behind the count the entire outing.
- Rough outing for right-handed reliever Paul Sewald who gave up a solo homerun to Trea Turner and a two-run single to Stephen Drew. The homerun came off a fastball and the single on a slider.
- New Met Stolmy Pimentel had a strong debut, getting a 1-2-3 7th inning including two strikeouts of the swinging variety.
- Bullpen candidate Jeff Walters allowed one run on three hits in his only inning of work.
The Mets had only one starting player in the lineup, Michael Conforto against the Nats ace Max Scherzer who threw two scoreless innings. How the hitters fare:
- Conforto was 2 for 2 with two line drives singles and scored the Mets first run.
- Alejandro De Aza and Juan Lagares both went 0 for 2 from the top of the lineup.
- Wilmer Flores got the start at third base, hit two balls hard and was 1 for 2 with a ground-rule double to left field.
- The first run of the spring season for the Mets was driven in my Kevin Plawecki with a sacrifice fly to left field in the 4th inning.
- Ruben Tejada made his return to the field, playing in his first game since having his leg broken. He went 0 for 2, started the game at shortstop.
- As the Mets possibly look for someone to play some corner outfield/first base, Eric Campbell got the start in right field. He went 0 for 1 with a walk and HBP at the plate. In the field he made a nice catch and threw a runner out trying to go first to third on a base hit.
- The versatile Ty Kelly knocked in a run with a groundout and threw a runner at home from left field in the 8th inning.
- Prospect Dominic Smith came off the bench to play first base, he went 1 for 2 with this single. Video provided by @TimFinn521.
- Minor league slugger Travis Taijeron took over center field from Lagares, he was 1 for 2 with a RBI double with the bat.
- One of the big stories from the Tuesday intrasquad game was T.J. Rivera who had two hits including a homerun. He played second base today with an infield single in his only at bat and scored a run.
It was great to hear the Mets play baseball but tomorrow is what we all have been waiting for as they play at 1:10 and we get to hear Gary Cohen with the call! Logan Verrett will get the start for the Mets while LHP Justin Nicolino is the Miami Marlins starter tomorrow.
