The New York Mets (6-3) and Miami Marlins (6-4) faced off in Jupiter, FL at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in what was the Mets’ ninth spring training game of the season. New York ran out Chris Bassitt for his first formal start of spring, he pitched splendidly. Overall, each team featured lineups with several everyday players – more so the Mets who may have featured seven of their nine opening day starters. After scoring seven runs across the third and fourth innings, the Mets cruised to a 10-0 victory.
After a strong first inning by Bassitt, Jeff McNeil got things going in the second. He lined a double down the right field line and advanced to third base on a poor pick-off attempt by Pablo Lopez. He was finally brought home via a hard-hit, two-out double off the first pitch seen by James McCann. McCann turned on an inside fastball and drove it to the gap. Bassitt again impressed in the second inning. He threw less than 10 pitches in the inning striking out one. The Mets led 1-0 going to the third inning.
Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets got right back to it in the third, as Starling Marte made his second start of the spring and drew a walk to lead-off. He then stole a base, something Mets’ fans should become accustomed to as he stole a MLB-best 47 bases last season. After the Marte walk and subsequent steal, Francisco Lindor blasted a two-run home run to right field. This was his fourth long shot of spring in only his 18th at-bat.
After McNeil’s second hit of the game, the Marlins removed their usually solid pitcher, Lopez, after a hefty 61 pitches in only 2 1/3 innings. Before the inning ended, McNeil stole a base on a 3-2 count. He then advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored via a two-out bloop single after a nine pitch at-bat by Dominic Smith. New York led 4-0 going to the bottom half of the inning.
After another successful half inning by Bassitt. The Mets struck for the third consecutive time, blowing the top off the game. After base hits by Luis Guillorme and Brandon Nimmo, Marte hit what ended up being a run-potting bloop double after the ball beat a sliding Avisaíl García. Lindor followed this up with great two-strike hitting with a deep sacrifice fly to center field which plated Nimmo and advanced Marte to third.
The damage did not stop there as Pete Alonso got in on the fun and drove in a run of his own courtesy of a single to center. J.D. Davis promptly drove in Alonso after a blistering ground ball beat Jon Berti at shortstop. In all, the Mets scored four runs on five hits in the inning to extend their lead to 8-0 going to the bottom of the fourth.
Photo by Ed Delany of MMO
Bassitt ran into his first high-leverage situation of the game in the bottom half of the inning. After a lead-off single, Jazz Chisholm hit a double that resulted in runners at second and third. However, Bassitt responded with a strikeout and an induced ground out to shortstop to get out of the inning. In the fifth he retired his last two batters of the night. Bassitt threw 69 pitches across 4 2/3 very successful innings. He struck out three and allowed only four hits. Most importantly, he did not walk anyone.
Meanwhile, the Mets kept the scoring streak alive as they struck for the fourth straight inning in the fifth. After a Guillorme walk, Lindor kept his scorching streak alive. He hit a deep double to center field which drove in Guillorme for his fourth RBI of the game. The Mets now led 9-0.
The Mets added to their lead in the top of the seventh thanks to a 406 foot home run to right field by Nimmo. This was their 10th and final run of the game. In all, the Mets tallied 15 hits, seven of which were for extra bases. Furthermore, each starter recorded a hit with Nimmo, Lindor, and Smith tallying two each. Hopefully performances like these carry-over to the regular season.
Other pitches that appeared for the Mets were minor leaguers Eric Orze (1/3 IP) and Felix Pena (2.0 IP). Chasen Shreve continued his strong spring with a 12-pitch eighth inning tallying two strikeouts. He has yet to allow a baserunner across nine at-bats. Sean Reid-Foley made an appearance in the ninth as he pitched a scoreless inning striking out two after allowing a double. Overall, the Mets’ pitching staff only allowed six hits and three walks.
Photo from Michael Mayer of MMO
Lindor is arguably the hottest hitter in the league right now. After his 2-for-2 and four RBI performance, featuring a long home run and a deep double, he is slashing .474/.500/1.211 this spring. Unfortunately, in a week or so, this will all not matter. However, great to see the Mets’ franchise shortstop looking sharp early on.
The Mets continue their spring training schedule tomorrow. New York is slated to take on the Houston Astros at 6:10 PM ET in Port St. Lucie, FL. Carlos Carrasco is slated to make his first formal spring appearance. The game will be televised on SNY.
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