The Mets lost to the Astros, 7-4, on Tuesday afternoon as their spring training slate continued.
Here are the takeaways…
– Tylor Megill got the start and struck out two batters looking in a perfect first inning.
Megill was solid and economical over the rest of his outing, firing 4.0 scoreless frames while allowing two hits, walking one, and striking out five as he lowered his spring training ERA to a tidy 1.35.
And Megill did it against an Astros lineup that featured most of its expected regulars, including Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve, Jeremy Peña, and Isaac Paredes.
Megill is in a battle with Griffin Canning and Paul Blackburn for the final two spots in the starting rotation.
– Luisangel Acuña got the start at second base and had an impressive at-bat his first time up, battling for eight pitches before lining a double down the right field line. He added a line drive single to center field in the seventh.
– Brett Baty started at third base. He stroked a single to left field in the seventh inning.
– Max Kranick was dominant again, striking out two batters while working around a single in one scoreless frame. Kranick is unscored upon in 8.0 innings this spring and seems destined for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.
– Reed Garrett allowed a single and a walk to start his inning of work but rebounded to escape the jam. His ERA this spring is 0.00.
– Infielder Donovan Walton cracked a grand slam to right field in the seventh inning.
– Jose Ureña, whose chances of making the team out of camp are likely slim, was rocked. He allowed five runs on five hits while walking one and striking out none as he recorded just one out before being removed.
– With the exception of Tyrone Taylor, the Mets didn’t have anyone in the starting lineup who is expected to break camp as an everyday player.
Upcoming schedule
The Mets travel to face the Cardinals on Wednesday at 1:05 p.m.
Paul Blackburn gets the start for New York.
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