The Mets defeated the Nationals this afternoon in Port St. Lucie with a final score of 5-3.
The main story from the game was Wheeler’s performance: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP. He looked really good and it was exciting to watch him pitch. Mazzoni added in two scoreless innings behind him (picking up the win) followed by two more scoreless innings from Gorski and one from Parnell (picking up the save). Also Ruben Tejada hit the only home run for the Mets (surprising source of power) off of Strasburg (also surprising).
Anyway let’s focus on the OF race. Stats from today’s game:
Duda 0-3, 2 K
Nieuwenhuis 1-3, R
Byrd 2-2, R, 2B
Brown 0-1, BB, K
Cowgill 1-1, R, RBI, BB
Baxter 0-0, BB
Valdespin* 1-2, R
For the most part, everyone (except for the player with the basically guaranteed spot) had a good day at the plate today. Byrd attacked the ball right away which paid off with one of two Mets extra base hits of the day. Cowgill showed aggression on the base paths coming home on a bobbled ball by first basemen Micah Owens. Brown misplayed a ball in the OF at one point.
Let’s see what tomorrow brings! The Mets go split squad tomorrow, so a lot of opportunity for OF’s to get some work in.
*Collins is working Valdespin as an infielder mostly in camp this year, I’m not ruling anything out yet
