Just Mets

The Mets fell to the Cardinals by a score of 5-4 at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter on Friday. Here are my takeaways from Friday’s game…

Matt Harvey did it again.

He got off to somewhat of an uneven start, but he was scintillating from the second inning until he was removed in the fifth. His fastball got better as the game went on and he featured a filthy curveball at times which had the St. Louis hitters completely lost. He allowed a run on three hits with five strikeouts, throwing 80 pitches in 4 1/3 innings. It almost seemed rather boring, but then again it’s Matt Harvey, and the significance of each outing only grows as he shows he’s healthy and has his command.

Speaking of command, Harvey has allowed 14 hits and two walks in 18 2/3 innings this spring.

The Mets left their bats in Port St. Lucie.

The club with the most home runs, most extra base hits and highest OPS in baseball did not do a thing against John Lackey today. The Cardinals did play quality defense behind him which helped a lot, but Lackey was getting the Mets to beat his sinker into the ground all afternoon. It happens, and I am not worried.

Sean Gilmartin is probably closing in on a job with the Mets.

Gilmartin hasn’t allowed a run in his last four outings, and he’s held lefties under .200 all spring. He retired another Scott Moore – another lefty – in the seventh inning, further convincing his evaluators he deserves a roster spot on Opening Day. Given his performance and status – he’s a Rule 5 selection – he’s probably close to securing that roster spot now.

Other notes from Friday:

Kirk Nieuwenhuis  had been 1-for-his-last-13 with nine strikeouts, but he snapped out of it with an seventh inning single.

Curtis Granderson continued his strong spring with two singles, one of which was to the opposite field. He is now hitting .444 for the spring.

Daniel Muno had two more hits – he is now hitting .400 this spring.

With his sixth double of the spring, Eric Campbell is tied with Juan Lagares and Ruben Tejada for the team lead.

Jenrry Mejia allowed a three-run home run to Rafael Ortega, one of two homers for Ortega on the day. Mejia’s ERA is now 5.40 for the spring.