The Mets were routed by the Marlins 13-2 this afternoon in Port St. Lucie.
For more on today’s loss, check out MLB.com.
Zack Wheeler hit a wall in the second inning.
Zack Wheeler struggled in his Spring Training debut, getting knocked out after 1.2 innings pitched, allowing two hits, two walks, two hit-by-pitches and six earned runs while striking out three. Wheeler told reporters he was fine after the game and, like Jon Niese on Sunday, it’s likely that fatigue was a factor in him getting knocked around later in his performance.
Wheeler clearly made a concerted effort to work in both his curveball and change-up. After a 1-2-3 first inning, things got a bit rockier in the second, where he allowed all six of his baserunners to cross the plate before getting taken out by Terry Collins. This shouldn’t be a cause for concern, as it was around 30 pitches where he really seemed to hit a wall.
Matt den Dekker had a nice day at the plate.
While it seems to be a lock that Kirk Nieuwenhuis is going to make the last open roster spot in the outfield, Matt den Dekker isn’t throwing in the towel as he went 2-for-2 with a walk and a pair of runs scored on the afternoon. Den Dekker has looked good so far in Spring, going 4-for-13 at the plate (.308).
While den Dekker is unlikely to make the Opening Day roster, he still has options and will get ample playing time in Triple-A. It’s not a stretch to say that you’ll see him in Flushing at some point during the season.
Seal Gilmartin struggled vs. righties.
Mets fans got a taste of Rule 5 draft selection Sean Gilmartin today. Gilmartin, a left-handed reliever, struggled in his one inning of work, particularly against right-handed batters. Of the three right-handed batters he faced, Gilmartin only retired one, Marlins minor league outfielder Kenny Wilson. Prior to retiring Wilson to end the inning, Gilmartin walked the righty Cole Gillespie and served up a three-run home run to Avery Romero. Gilmartin also allowed a single to the left-handed Reid Brignac during Miami’s seventh inning rally.
Other Notes
Mets pitching allowed 13 runs, 12 hits and six walks in Monday’s loss.
Vic Black looked good in his inning of work, allowing no baserunners, striking out one and hitting 97 MPH on the radar gun.
Shortstop prospect Gavin Cecchini started at DH today, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Just Mets 