Just Mets

The Mets lost to the Cardinals by the score of 5-4 this afternoon at Tradition Field. Here are some of my takeaways from today’s game…

Bartolo Colon started off slow, cruised and then slipped in the end.

Colon’s rocky spring continued in his outing on Wednesday. He allowed a run thanks in part to a leadoff walk in the first, but then he cruised in innings 2-5. Then, he slipped again in the sixth inning and didn’t retire any of the three batters he faced. In the end, he allowed three earned runs on six hits in five innings which capped a disappointing spring in which he had a 7.02 ERA.

Colon really struggled to throw quality strikes in general this spring. Most of his fastballs sat up in the zone, and when he’s throwing his fastball 86-90 mph, the results aren’t going to be pretty in that area. Hopefully, the execution improves beginning on Monday in Washington.

The Mets had a sleepy day at the plate.

The Mets didn’t do much offensively today, something we’re not accustomed to seeing this spring as they lead the league in most offensive categories. They scattered four singles through the sixth inning before the finally broke through with a two-run double off the bat of Matt Reynolds (who also drove in a second run in the ninth inning). Of course, Carlos Martinez was fantastic this afternoon for the Cardinals, baffling the Mets with his fastball/change-up combination for six innings. It happens.

Buddy Carlyle pitched well again out of the bullpen.

And, it may not be enough. He’s been fantastic for the most part this spring, but with the way the bullpen is shaping up, there just doesn’t appear to be a place for him on the roster. But, if he doesn’t make the club, and he doesn’t opt to go to Triple-A as depth to start the year, he’s pitched well enough this spring to be able to be a useful piece somewhere in the game.

Other notes from Wednesday:

Curtis Granderson continued his torrid pace this spring with another opposite field single in the first inning – he is hitting .444 this spring.

Jerry Blevins did not retire the only batter he faced in the sixth inning, allowing a single to lefty Matt Adams.

Alex Torres made his Mets debut this spring and pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

Amed Rosario drove in a run in the ninth with an RBI single.