Like Chris Capuano yesterday, Chris Young went 4 innings while allowing 2 runs, each on a solo home run. He struck out 2, walked none, and gave up a total of 5 hits. His outing was neither dazzling nor alarming, and since he's penciled into the rotation, that's just fine for a spring training game. In total, Young has now thrown 9 innings this spring and only allowed the 2 runs he gave up today.
Francisco Rodriguez pitched a 1-2-3 inning 6th inning, and when he took the mound in the 7th, he struck out the only two batters he faced. Blaine Boyer relieved him and got a ground out from the only batter he faced. Manny Acosta pitched brilliantly in the 9th, striking out the side on 9 pitches. John Lujan and Josh Stinson also pitched a clean inning a piece.
Josh Thole had a very productive day at the plate as he put the Mets' first two runs on the board with a home run in the bottom of the second inning. He singled and doubled in his other two at-bats. Thole did make one mistake as he was caught stealing after the single.
Luis Castillo got the start at second base, and he was 1-for-1 with a single, two walks, and a run scored. Mr. OBP did his thing today, and with more days like this, his odds of winning the starting job will only go up. Daniel Murphy was the DH, and with two outs in the fifth inning, he singled in Castillo and Angel Pagan to give the Mets a two-run lead. Brad Emaus came in for Castillo in the top of the 7th inning, and he was hitless in his only at-bat.
With the Mets still leading by two in the bottom of the 7th, Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a two-run bomb, driving in Thole in the process. In the 8th inning, Fernando Martinez scored the team's 7th run on a Russ Adams double.
Next up for the Mets is a pair of split-squad games Thursday afternoon at 1:05 pm. One team will head visit the Marlins while the other will visit the Nationals. The games will not be broadcast locally.