The Mets and Marlins played to a 1-1 tie as they continued Grapefruit League play on Monday night at Clover Park.
Here are the takeaways…
– The Mets have been taking things slow with Kodai Senga thus far in camp, but the right-hander took a big step on Monday night as he made his highly-anticipated spring debut. Senga was initially expected to throw one inning, but after needing just 15 pitches to get through an easy top of the first, he came back out for the second.
Senga allowed a two out single in both frames but that was it, as he struck out two batters over two easy innings of work. He topped out at 96 mph and threw 31 pitches (20 strikes) before heading down to the bullpen to simulate another up-down in live batting practice — overall, a very successful spring debut.
– David Peterson also took the mound making his first appearance of the spring and he fared well, as well. The southpaw looked extremely sharp as he cruised his way through the Marlins’ order, allowing just one hit while striking out five across three scoreless innings of work.
– Jose Butto followed up Peterson and he was hurt by some soft contact. The right-hander allowed a pair of infield hits before Griffin Conine lofted an RBI single into shallow left to bring in the first run of the game. He loaded the bases with a two out walk before his outing came to an end with 24 pitches.
– Max Kranick continued his spectacular start to the spring. The righty, who grew up a Mets fan, has struck out six batters and he’s yet to allow a run over three appearances after putting together another 1.1 strong innings of work. Carlos Mendoza said following his last appearance that he loved how Kranick has been throwing hard and attacking the zone.
– Tyler Zuber used his wicked newly developed changeup to punch out one of the two batters he faced in the ninth. He’s had some command issues, as was the case in the minors last season, but he’s also put together three consecutive scoreless appearances thus far in spring action.
– New York’s offense was kept in check in this one even with the top four of their lineup occupied by Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, and Mark Vientos. They were held to just one run on two hits as a team, and those four went a combined 0-for-10 on the night.
– The Mets were actually held hitless over the first 4.2 innings before infielder Donovan Walton lined a two out two strike single in the bottom of the fifth. Their lone run came when Jose Azocar ended up on third via a three-base error, and then came in to score on a Simon Juan sacrifice fly.
Game MVP: David Peterson
The Mets need Peterson to carry over his success from last season, and his spring debut was certainly a good start.
Highlights
Upcoming schedule
Tylor Megill makes his first start of the spring as the Mets head to Jupiter to take on the Cardinals on Tuesday at 1:10 p.m.
The action can be seen on ESPN.
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