The Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles today, by a score of 6-2.
Oliver Perez bounced back after two shaky starts by looking sharp through 4 innings, giving up just 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 1 with no walks. Billy Wagner, Aaron Heilman, Joe Smith and Ricardo Rincon each pitched scoreless innings in relief. Duaner Sanchez gave up the other Orioles run, on 2 hits in his inning of work.
At the dish, the big story today was Angel Pagan. Amidst trade rumors that would send him to Boston, Pagan went 1-for-2 including a long home run to right center in the seventh, his first of the spring. Jose Reyes went 1-for-3 with a triple, and Fernando Martinez promptly brought him home with a good opposite field single. Carlos Delgado continued to struggle in his second game back, going hitless in 3 at-bats with 2 strikeouts. In 2 games back this spring he is 0-for-5 with 5 strikeouts. Carlos Beltran faired no better finishing 0-for-3 with a walk. Mets catching prospect Raul Casanova added a 2 rbi single in the 8th.
The Mets travel to Jupiter tomorrow to take on the St. Louis Cardinals.
Perez looked much better today, giving up only the one run on some good hitting by the O’s in the first. Luis Castillo was the subject of most of the game, due to a prank that included Castillo’s hat, gum and plastic cups. Castillo may travel with the team to Jupiter tomorrow or could wait until the Mets next home game on Saturday to finally get in a game.
Pete Lappin (3)
