Mets drop split-squad games to Braves, Tigers

The Mets had their first split squad games of the spring, and dropped them both. In Port St. Lucie, the home team dropped a laugher to the Tigers, 14-4. Over in Lake Buena Vista, the away squad lost a much closer game to the Braves, 4-3.

Mets vs Tigers

In the SNY broadcasted home game, Zack Wheeler pitched the first inning and didn’t look very sharp. A fielder error from J.D. Davis, a single and a wild pitch brought in the first run. A sacrifice fly brought in the second run, and Wheeler was done for the day.

Some other highlights:

• Rajai Davis had himself a day, hitting a double in the third and a home run in the seventh, driving in two of the four Met runs.
• Arismendy Alcantara drove in a run on a sacrifice fly in the third inning in his first start of the spring.
• Robinson Cano and Amed Rosario both collected two hits.
• Brandon Nimmo made his first start of the spring after sitting out the first few games with as ore shoulder. He collected one hit from the DH position.
• Jeurys Familia got tagged for two runs in his one inning of work, striking out one.
• Justin Wilson, Robert Gsellman, Kyle Dowdy, Sean Burnett, and Eric Hanhold all gave up runs in their appearances, with only Seth Lugo getting through the game unscathed.

Full box score: MLB.com

Over in the center of the state, Corey Oswalt had a good start to the spring, throwing two perfect innings with two strikeouts. The Mets got their offense from some of their minor league key players, including an inside the park home run from Sebastian Espino. Minor league Rule 5 draft pick Braxton Lee drove in former first round draft pick Gavin Cecchini, and Rymer Liriano drove in Luis Guillorme.

Other highlights from the away game:

• Cecchini walked and hit a double in his start at third base.
• Chris Flexen and Stephen Villines pitched scoreless innings in relief.
• Hector Santiago gave up a solo home run to Alex Jackson in the bottom of the third inning.
• Drew Gagnon gave up three runs, including a two-run home run to William Contreras.

Full box score: MLB.com

The Mets host the Marlins tomorrow at First Energy Field at 1:10pm. The game will be broadcast on SNY.