The New York Mets lost to the Houston Astros at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie by a score of 4-3.
Pitching:
Dillon Gee pitched 4 scoreless innings, allowing 4 hits and one walk, while striking out 1 Astro.
He was relieved by Buddy Carlyle, who gave up 1 run. Dario Alvarez pitched a scoreless inning. Zack Thornton served up a solo home run to Jake Marisnick in the 7th, but then recorded the next three batters consecutively, striking out 2.
Carlos Torres pitched an inning and served up 2 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk, plus a balk. He was charged with the loss, as he gave up a 3-2 Mets lead.
Jeurys Familia pitched a flawless 9th, inducing two ground balls to second base and one to shortstop. His sinking fastball sat in the 94-97 mph range.
Offense:
The Astros outhit the Mets 12-2.
Michael Cuddyer smashed a double, his 9th extra base hit of the spring already, and later scored. Later, David Wright hit a two-run home run off an 0-2 curveball served up by Astros starter Colin McHugh. It was his third home run of the spring. Those were the only hits the Mets could muster today.
After hitting Danny Muno with a pitch, Astros pitchers retired 16 straight Mets, before James Hoyt, with two outs in the 9th inning, walked Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Danny Muno. Anthony Recker then grounded out to third to end the game.
Notes:
The Mets had been, statistically, the best offensive team so far this spring before today’s outing. They’ll be looking to bounce back against the Yankees tomorrow.
Carlos Torres pitched for the second day in a row; It was his second time this spring doing that, and both times, on the second day, he has been hit hard.
On Deck:
The Mets will face rival New York Yankees tomorrow in Tampa Bay, at 1:05. The Mets are starting Rafael Montero against the Yankees’ Masahiro Tanaka.
