Hernández Struggles, Williams Doubles As Mets Fall to Cards 7-5
Photo by Ed Delany Metsmerized
In their second game of the day after besting the Astros 7-2 Friday afternoon, the Mets returned to the field, where they fell to the Cardinals by a score of 7-5.
Elieser Hernández got the start for the Mets, where he struggled, giving up four earned runs in 2 2/3 innings to go along with one walk and no strikeouts. Hernández gave up a leadoff homer to Brendan Donovan, to start off his evening. After getting the next two men out, Hernández allowed a walk, with another run coming home on a double from Juan Yepez.
The Mets battled back with a couple runs of their own to tie the game in the top of the third. Tim Locastro continued his excellent spring by knocking in José Peraza on an RBI single, and Francisco Álvarez added an RBI hit of his own to even things up, going the other way through an open hole on the infield off Jordan Montgomery.
Francisco Álvarez with an RBI single the other way
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— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 10, 2023
However, Yepez would strike once again in the bottom half of the frame. Hernández was able to get the first two outs of the inning, but exited the frame with two men on. His replacement, Daison Acosta, served up a three-run shot to Yepez that put the Cards up 5-2. Two of the three runs were charged to Hernández, who is competing for positioning as rotation depth or a long-man spot in the Mets bullpen with the likes of Joey Lucchesi and José Butto.
Connor Grey was the next pitcher up for the Mets, and he was also victimized by the long ball, giving up a homer to Masyn Wynn in the 5th that extended the Cardinals lead to 7-2. The Mets’ pitchers would not allow another run in the contest, thanks to scoreless outings from the likes of William Woods (two innings) and Eric Orze (one inning) as their offense tried to claw back in the game.
New York got one back in the sixth on a Lorenzo Cedrola double, and tacked on another in the seventh on a Kevin Parada sacrifice fly. In the eighth, it was another of the Mets top prospects who made statement. In his first career Grapefruit League appearance, Jett Williams also notched his first RBI, smashing a double down the left field line to score Hayden Senger and make the score 7-5.
Jett Williams ropes an RBI double!
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— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 11, 2023
However, that’s as close as the Mets would get, as they fell to the Cards by the same score.
Player of the Game: Jett Williams
In his first spring training game, Williams flashed why he is one of the Mets’ top prospects in his only at-bat of the game. With several Mets off playing in the World Baseball Classic, Williams may get a few more opportunities to show what he’s capable of before beginning his season in the minors.
Darin Ruf Watch
Back in the lineup, the much-maligned Darin Ruf continued to struggle in a Mets uniform, going 0-3 with two strikeouts. He remains hitless this spring. After the game, he commented that his injured wrist was still giving him discomfort.
On Deck
The Mets will be back at it on Saturday as they take on the Nationals at 7:05 p.m. Kodai Senga is expected to start for the Mets. Buck Showalter said after Friday’s game that Brandon Nimmo would be making his spring debut on Sunday when the Mets face off with the Rays at Clover Park.
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