The New York Mets traveled to Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland only to come up short against the Detroit Tigers who defeated them by a score of 6-4.
Pitching:
Starting in place of Noah Syndergaard, lefthander Steven Matz (2.08 ERA) did a decent job today, holding the Tigers to just one run which came on solo homer by J.D. Martinez in the first inning. Matz pitched 2 2/3 innings, walked one and struck out one in his final appearance of the Spring. After the game the Mets optioned him to minor league camp.
I was very impressed by Jeurys Familia who entered the game in the 7th inning with the bases loaded and one out, and then recorded back to back strikeouts to end the threat and leave all three runners stranded. He came out to pitch the 8th however, and allowed the go-ahead run to score. Hey you can’t win ’em all.
How about Jack Leathersich? I practically had him out of the running a few days ago for the lefty reliever role, but he’s picking up the pace now and put himself right back into the thick of it. He got his one lefty out today, but that’s now five straight scoreless appearances, AND he hasn’t walked anyone in that three inning span. Considering the five appearances before that, we’re talking miles of improvement.
Chase Bradford had his clock rung but good, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out none in just 1.1 innings. But on the plus side, Zack Thornton (1.29 ERA) had another impressive outing, tossing two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and two walks. He’s now a dark horse candidate to replace Vic Black if he starts the season on the DL.
Offense:
Every time Wilmer Flores or Juan Lagares are in the lineup they do some damage. Flores was off today, but Lagares was the player of the game today, batting leadoff and ripping two doubles in three at-bats with a walk and a run scored. His on-base percentage climbed to .498.
Ruben Tejada went 2-for-4 with his fourth double and is now batting .281 for the spring. I didn’t watch the game but the guys on the radio said he was too slow on the field at shortstop and went as far as saying any other shortstop and Matz doesn’t give up those two groundball hits.
Daniel Muno started at second and went 2-for-4 with an RBI-single. He’s having a solid Spring, but if Daniel Murphy were to start the season on the DL, I say it’s Matt Reynolds who gets the call.
John Mayberry Jr. went 2-for-4 with an RBI double, and Eric Campbell walked and stole a base.
Notes:
Lucas Duda got hit off lefthander David Price, but continues to be in a .150 slump.
The Mets had 12 hits in the game but struck out 13 times and left ten men on base.
On Deck:
The Subway Series! Well sort of… Matt Harvey will make his fourth Grapefruit League start as the Mets host the Yankees at Tradition Field on Sunday at 1:10 PM. Harvey is expected to throw 75 pitches. Meanwhile C.C. Sabathia starts for the Yanks and I hope we beat his ass! LGM
