The Mets (15-14) took on the Yankees (14-16) in their spring finale on Monday at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Sean Manaea took the mound for the Mets, with Clarke Schmidt on the mound for the Yankees. Both teams deployed many of their regular players, but the Yankees came out on top, 3-0.

Photo by Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Manaea had an impressive final campaign of spring despite the loss. He cruised through the first 4 2/3 innings, but three straight hits, including a two-run double, put a hamper on his outing. Still, he allowed just two earned runs over five innings and struck out seven with no walks. Notably, he held the top of the Yankees lineup, consisting of Gleyber Torres, Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and Anthony Rizzo, to 1-for-9 with four strikeouts.

While Manaea’s start was fantastic until the final sequence that produced two runs, Schmidt out-pitched him and exited the game after five scoreless innings. Schmidt allowed two walks and a hit (a Harrison Bader single), striking out six against a Mets lineup that likely won’t change much for Opening Day.

Both starters exiting after five innings put the bullpens into motion, with the Yankees holding onto a 2-0 lead. Yankees closer Clay Holmes was the first to enter, and he immediately got into more trouble in one inning than Schmidt had faced in five. A Pete Alonso double, Jeff McNeil reaching on an error, and Starling Marte hit by a pitch in the helmet loaded the bases, but DJ Stewart was unable to take advantage and grounded out to end the inning.

Manaea was followed out of the bullpen by a contingent of prominent relievers, with Brooks Raley, Drew Smith and Adam Ottavino, each pitching an inning. Raley allowed a run to score on a fielder’s choice, extending the Yankees’ lead to 3-0. Smith and Ottavino then combined for two scoreless innings. Overall, these relievers had strong springs, albeit in tiny sample sizes. They combined for two earned runs allowed in 14 2/3 innings this spring.

Mets pitchers pitched well in this game, but it didn’t matter. Following Schmidt and Holmes, two more Yankee relievers combined for three scoreless innings to secure a shutout 3-0 victory. The Mets recorded just two hits all game in an inauspicious end to spring training, but the team hopes the offense will pick up on Thursday when it counts.

Player of the Game

Sean Manaea has looked really good this spring, and that continued today, especially against the Yankees’ better hitters. He continues to look like a solid signing for the Mets’ rotation as he ends his spring with a 3.24 ERA, 21 strikeouts, four walks, and no homers allowed in four starts and 16 2/3 innings. His regular season debut for the Mets will be on April 1 in the series opener against the Tigers.

On Deck

That’s it for spring training! Next up for the Mets is Opening Day this Thursday. They take on the Brewers at Citi Field in a matchup between José Quintana (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and Freddy Peralta (0-0, 0.00 ERA). First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. ET, and the game will air on SNY.