Mets Swept In Split-Squad Games Vs. Red Sox, Astros
FORT MYERS, Fla. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Logan Verrett pitched four scoreless innings, but the Mets' relievers faltered in a 4-1 split-squad loss to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday.
In their other game Thursday, the Mets lost to the Houston Astros, 8-5.
Verrett, making his second Grapefruit League start, allowed two hits. He is a candidate for the Mets' bullpen, but could also go to Triple-A Las Vegas and pitch in the rotation.
"I was just hoping to work deep into the game with the pitch count they gave me, and I was happy with the results," he said.
New York pitcher Erik Goeddel made his first appearance of spring training following a lat injury. He allowed two runs in one inning, including Bogaerts' first home run in exhibition play. Sean Gilmartin, who was tagged with the loss, allowed two runs and four hits over three innings.
Boston's Joe Kelly allowed one run and five hits in seven innings. He kept the Mets hitless until the fifth, when he gave up three singles. Kelly struck out six and walked one, throwing 49 of 75 pitches for strikes.
David Ortiz singled home the go-ahead run in the sixth, his second RBI of spring training. Xander Bogaerts hit a solo homer and sacrifice fly.
The Mets' lone run came on an RBI single by Matt Reynolds that scored Eric Campbell.
ASTROS 8, METS 5
Meanwhile in Port St. Lucie, Matt Harvey struggled, allowing six runs, seven hits and four walks in three innings.
"Everything was a little out of whack," Harvey said, according to ESPN. "Mechanically I have to go back and watch some film tomorrow and figure out what was going on. It was a little awkward today. Every time I tried to execute a pitch, it was just over the middle. It felt like every throw was a little bit different than the other ones."
Harvey's bad game put a damper on a marquee spring matchup against Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel, who tossed five scoreless innings.
Houston's A.J. Reed hit a solo inside-the-park home run in the second inning after Yoenis Cespedes tried to pass off a ball that ended up under the center-field wall's padding as unplayable. The umpire disagreed, and Reed easily rounded the bases.
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