The Mets recorded just two hits on Sunday afternoon in a 5-0 loss to the Houston Astros in Grapefruit League action.
Here are the takeaways…
– Tylor Megill took the mound for the third time this spring, looking to earn a spot in the starting rotation. The right-hander tossed a 1-2-3 first inning, getting two flyouts and striking out star slugger Yordan Alvarez. The second inning was a different story, as Megill let up a leadoff single and a two-run home run to Cam Smith. He then settled down and recorded three straight outs, including two strikeouts, to keep it a 2-0 game.
Megill allowed a leadoff single in the third inning, but got the next three Astros out. He got into some trouble in the fourth inning, allowing three straight singles and two runs as the Mets trailed, 4-0. The 29-year-old stayed in to pitch the fifth inning, throwing another 1-2-3 inning to end his day.
Megill’s final line: four earned runs on six hits with six strikeouts over 74 pitches in 5.0 innings.
– The Mets were held hitless for the first 2.1 innings against Steven Okert, Tayler Scott, and Miguel Castro. José Azocar recorded the team’s first hit of the day with one away in the bottom of the third and then stole second base, but was left stranded on third after Hayden Senger grounded out and Francisco Lindor struck out.
– Senger showed off his arm with a pick-off of Zach Dezenzo at first base for the third out of the fourth inning, helping Megill escape the jam. The catcher also doubled in the bottom of the sixth inning, finishing the day 1-for-2 at the plate.
– RHP Tyler Zuber came in for relief in the sixth inning and got Alvarez to pop out, but was hit in the backside by a comebacker against his second batter and exited the game. RHP Connor Overton replaced him on the mound, letting up a single and a walk, but got out of the bases-loaded jam to keep it a 4-0 game. RHP Grant Hartwig then threw a 1-2-3 seventh inning, but allowed a solo homer to Zack Short in the eighth inning, making it 5-0 Astros.
– Lindor (two walks), Starling Marte, Pete Alonso, Mark Vientos (one walk), Brett Baty, and Jose Siri all went hitless.
Who was the game MVP?
Okert for Houston, who stuck out four straight Mets, including Marte, Alonso, Vientos, and Baty. That set the tone for the day, as the Mets managed just two hits.
For the Mets, Senger had a solid day while competing for the backup catching job following Francisco Alvarez‘s injury. He doubled and picked off a runner at first base.
Highlights
Tylor Megill strikes out Yordan Álvarez to finish off a 1-2-3 first inning 💪 pic.twitter.com/uGEbrulMUK
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 16, 2025
Mark Vientos charges the ground ball and throws out Jose Altuve! pic.twitter.com/VQEzIpMrtA
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 16, 2025
Hayden Senger makes the snap throw to get the runner at first! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LeRWDpm2Ae
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 16, 2025
Tyler Zuber has left the game after being hit by a comebacker pic.twitter.com/cDlv3jqe7z
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 16, 2025
Hayden Senger rips a double down the line! pic.twitter.com/09B3HDHlOi
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 16, 2025
What’s next
The Mets’ top prospects take the field against the Washington Nationals’ prospects in the 2025 Spring Breakout game on SNY on Sunday at 5:05 p.m.
New York will then have some split-squad action on St. Patrick’s Day on Monday, as half the team will stay in Port St. Lucie to take on the Tampa Bay Rays and the other half will travel to Jupiter and face the Miami Marlins.
Both competing for a spot in the starting rotation, Griffin Canning will face the Rays and Paul Blackburn will take the mound against the Marlins.
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