The New York Mets (7-7) faced the Washington Nationals (4-11) Tuesday afternoon at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. This was the final game of spring training for both teams. Most of the Mets’ major leaguers had the day off today, but Jeff McNeil, James McCann, Dominic Smith, J.D. Davis, […]
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Apr 1, 2022; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Felix Pena (74) delivers a pitch in the first inning of the spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets (7-7) faced the Washington Nationals (4-11) Tuesday afternoon at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. This was the final game of spring training for both teams. Most of the Mets’ major leaguers had the day off today, but Jeff McNeil, James McCann, Dominic Smith, J.D. Davis, and Luis Guillorme were in the lineup.
It was a rough day pitching wise for the Mets. Taijuan Walker started and pitched a 1-2-3 first, but the wheels came off in the second inning. National’s catcher Keibert Ruiz and shortstop Alcides Escobar both hit two-run homers before Walker recorded an out in the inning. After giving up four runs on six hits and only recording one out, Walker’s day was done.
During his post outing interview, Walker stated that his right knee was bothering him, the knee he had surgery on during the off-season. Still, Walker insisted that he will be ready for his first regular season start.
Colin Holderman came on in relief and promptly walked Juan Soto and then gave up a wind-aided grand slam to Nelson Cruz. By the time the second inning was over, the Nationals had batted around the order, ultimately sending 12 men to the plate, and the Mets were down 8-0. Holderman stayed in to pitch the third inning and gave up another home run, this time a solo shot off the bat of Maikel Franco.
Eric Orze pitched the fourth inning for the Mets. By the end of the inning, the Nats were up 12-0. Orze started his inning by giving up back-to-back doubles followed by a two-run homer. Lefties Alex Claudio and Joely Rodriguez got the fifth and sixth innings, with Rodriguez making his Mets debut since being traded from the Yankees for reliever Miguel Castro. Claudio gave up one run on three hits and Rodriguez gave up a run on two hits. Félix Peña came in next and pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning followed by a scoreless eighth inning.
The offense was also down for the Mets today. Through the first four innings, the Mets were limited to a Dominic Smith walk and a J.D. Davis single. All the major league players, other than Guillorme, were out of the game by the fourth inning. For the rest of the game, the only Mets action was a Stanley Consuegra infield hit in the fifth inning, a Justin Guerrera walk in the seventh inning, and a William Lugo single in the ninth inning. Guerrera was the only Mets runner to reach scoring position, as he took second on a wild pitch.
The Mets ultimately lost this game 14-0. Thankfully, this was only a spring training game, and the team will start the regular season with a clean slate.
Player of the Game: Félix Peña
Pickings were slim today for player of the game, but the honor goes to Félix Peña, who was the only Mets pitcher who did not give up a run today. His 1-2-3 seventh inning was the first 1-2-3 inning for the Mets since the first inning. Peña finished up the day with a scoreless eighth inning as well, only giving up two singles.
On Deck: The Mets travel to Washington D.C. to begin the regular season against the Nationals and Patrick Corbin. Opening day is Thursday, at 4:05pm, but there is rain in the forecast.
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