The Mets beat the Cardinals, 2-0, on Wednesday afternoon as their spring training slate continued.
Here are the takeaways…
– Paul Blackburn gave up some hard contact early but was very impressive as he spun 4.0 perfect innings while striking out two.
The outing was a big bounce back for Blackburn, who had been having a rough spring before Wednesday and was potentially falling behind Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill in the race for the final two spots in the starting rotation.
Blackburn missed the end of last season due to a cerebrospinal leak that required surgery in October.
– A.J. Minter made his spring training debut and tossed a perfect inning. He got Nolan Arenado to tap back to the mound, struck out Alec Burleson swinging on a cutter, and retired Nolan Gorman on a ground out to second base.
In what was his first game action since undergoing hip surgery last August, Minter’s fastball topped out at 93 mph.
Minter, one of the Mets’ key bullpen acquisitions this offseason, is on track to be ready for Opening Day.
– Francisco Lindor delivered an RBI single in the fifth inning to bring home Tyrone Taylor, who had doubled.
– Starling Marte, making his second start of the spring, went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts.
– Danny Young worked around a leadoff double in the sixth inning to twirl a scoreless frame. He has pitched relatively well this spring, putting himself in solid position to nab one the final few spots in the Opening Day bullpen.
– Tyler Zuber was strong in relief, firing 2.0 perfect innings while striking out one. He has yet to allow a run this spring.
Highlights
Upcoming schedule
The Mets host the Red Sox on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. on SNY.
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