PORT ST. LUCIE, FL. -- The Mets defeated the Houston Astros 6-2 in their Grapefruit League opener on Saturday afternoon at Clover Park.
Here are some takeaways…
- It didn't take long for Juan Soto to make his mark in a Mets uniform. The superstar outfielder was welcomed by a rousing ovation as he took the field in the top of the first -- and again when he stepped to the plate in the bottom half of the inning -- and he responded by cracking an opposite-field solo home run four pitches into his first AB.
Soto missed a 2-0 fastball from Houston's Colton Gordon, but when the southpaw came back with the heat a second time he was sure to make him pay, demolishing it 426-feet over the left-center field fence. The slugger came up with the bases loaded in his next at-bat, but grounded into a fielders choice, before bringing his day to an end.
- While it's still only one game into spring training, Carlos Mendoza admitted pregame that it felt "really good" to write-in Francisco Lindor, Soto, and Pete Alonso as the top three in the order.
- Lindor and Alonso both played three innings as well. Lindor opened his spring with a popout to former Met Zack Short, and then he came to the plate with the bases loaded and drove in a run with a fielders choice. Alonso reached base twice, drawing a pair of walks, one of which came a few pitches after winning a challenge with the ABS system.
- Clay Holmes' transition to the rotation is one of the storylines to watch over the next few weeks, and he certainly made a strong first impression. The right-hander was very efficient as he worked his way through three perfect innings, utilizing all of his pitches to induce four groundouts and three punchouts -- all of which were confirmed following Houston challenges.
Holmes admitted it felt special showing up to the park on his start day for the first time since his rookie campaign. His newly developed kick-change was on full display and it was looking extra nasty, generating a few swings-and-misses. The pitch has a chance to be a real weapon for him this season.
- Francisco Alvarez received the start behind the dish and Holmes offered nothing but praise for the game he called as they worked together for just the first time. The young slugger also enjoyed himself a nice day at the plate, finishing 1-for-3 with a run-scoring single.
- Backup catcher Luis Torrens served as the DH and he lined a pair of singles in each of his two plate appearances.
- We also saw some of the Mets’ depth behind that duo, as Hayden Senger showcased his defensive prowess, gunning down a runner at second to complete a strike-him-out throw-him-out double play in the fifth. Kevin Parada subbed in for Torrens in the late innings and he struck out twice. The former first-round pick hasn’t quite been able to find his footing in the organization, coming off a season in which he posted just a .636 OPS.
- Brett Baty started at the hot corner and he put together some good swings in his two at-bats. He reached on an infield single and then was robbed of extra-bases on a diving grab down the left-field line a few innings later -- certainly an encouraging start as he looks to crack the roster.
- Danny Young hit a batter and gave up an RBI double in his lone inning of work. The southpaw is on the bubble for a roster spot, and is out of minor league options. Justin Hagenman, who signed on a split-contract this offseason and is also competing for that spot, struck out a pair in two strong innings.
- Fairfield University product Trey McLoughlin threw the final inning. The 25-year-old right-hander continues to make his steady rise through the system, as he pitched to a strong 1.89 ERA in Double-A last season. He could be an option at some point this year if he's able to carry that success over to Triple-A.
- The total attendance was 7,394 - according to Mets PR, which is the second-largest spring opener in PSL history.