Luis Severino finishes spring strong, Starling Marte reaches twice in Mets' 10-1 rout of Nationals
The Mets defeated the Washington Nationals, 10-1, in Grapefruit League action on Sunday afternoon at Clover Park.
Here are some takeaways...
- Luis Severino took the mound for New York in his final tune-up of the spring and he began his day on a high note. After striking out CJ Abrams and Eddie Rosario on well located fastballs in an easy first inning, he needed just six pitches to induce three weak line outs and cruise through the second.
Washington was able to put two on with two out in the top of the third, but Severino was able to dance out of danger by getting Jesse Winker to fly out to shallow center. He worked easily through the fourth, but the Nationals were able to get on the board after that.
Washington got two on in the fifth with a leadoff walk and single, and after a sacrifice bunt moved the runners over, Andrew Pinckney drove in a run with an RBI groundout. Severino bounced back to strike out the next hitter, stranding a runner in scoring position, and ending his day on a high note.
The righty allowed just the one run on four hits while walking one and striking out four across five innings. After signing on a cheap one-year prove-it deal this offseason, Severino responded with a tremendous spring, pitching to a 1.29 ERA over four starts. He'll look to carry that over to his regular season debut in the Mets' second game of the season on Saturday against the Brewers.
- Starling Marte has been relatively quiet at the plate this spring, but he enjoyed a nice day in this one. The veteran cranked a leadoff double in the second and later scored on a Brett Baty double play. A few innings later, he dropped a perfect bunt down the third-base line for his second hit of the afternoon, and then proceeded to steal second base. If Marte could return to the All-Star form he showed during his first year in the Big Apple, it could be a game-changer for the Mets lineup.
- DJ Stewart also put together a strong day at the plate on the same day he found out he'll likely crack the Opening Day roster, as he was on-base three times with a pair of walks and a scorching double, which was inches away from a homer.
- Tyrone Taylor came through on two separate occasions for the Mets, picking up a two-out RBI double in the second, and then working a tremendous at-bat a few innings later and lining another run scoring hit up the middle. After drawing a walk in his third at-bats, the 30-year-old finished 2-for-2 with two RBI.
- After he grounding into a double play in a big spot, Baty made up for it a few innings later, battling out of an 0-2 hole and lining a two-out RBI single. After Taylor's walk loaded the bases, Brandon Nimmo drove in a pair with his first hit of the afternoon, putting this game out of reach.
- Edwin Diaz struggled in his last big-league appearance, issuing two walks and allowing a run against the Marlins, but he struck out one and was helped out by a nice diving catch from Nimmo to rebound nicely with a 1-2-3 inning.
Lefty Jake Diekman and right-hander Jorge Lopez also closed their spring on a high note with a scoreless inning each.
Highlights
Upcoming schedule
The Mets close out Grapefruit League play against the Yankees on Monday afternoon at 1:10 p.m.
Sean Manaea looks to build off his strong start the last time out against right-hander Clarke Schmidt.
