It was the Francisco Lindor show once again on Saturday, as the shortstop reached base in all four plate appearances in an 8-3 Mets win over the Astros.
Five things to know from Saturday’s game
1. Lindor opened the scoring in the third with a two-run single ripped through the right side, scoring Joey Lucchesi and Kevin Pillar, who had both singled themselves. Lindor now has hits in 10 straight spring training games and added another RBI with a single in the fifth. Lindor finished his day 3-for-3 with three RBI and a walk, and is hitting an even .500 (18-for-36) during his 10-game hitting streak.
2. If the plan in 2021 is to use Lucchesi behind an opener, early indications are that might prove to be a success. After a scoreless first from Jacob Barnes, Lucchesi tossed 4 2/3 innings of nearly spotless work, before a solo home run by Alex Bregman ended his day in the fifth. Lucchesi allowed three hits and a walk with four strikeouts, with 43 of his 62 pitches for strikes. Aaron Loup retired the final batter of the fifth with the Mets leading 2-0.
3. Dominic Smith hit his second home run of the spring, touching up Shawn Dubin for a solo shot in the sixth to give the Mets a 4-1 lead. Then in the seventh, Smith homered again, this time off of Hector Velasquez.
4. Pete Alonso did damage against Velasquez in the seventh as well, launching a two-run homer to center. By the time the Astros got out of the inning, the Mets had taken an 8-2 lead.
5. Trevor May allowed a solo home run to Yordan Alvarez, but struck out two in an inning of work. Oscar De La Cruz surrendered a run in the eighth while Jerry Blevins pitched a scoreless ninth.
Highlights