Notable items from Sunday’s Mets’ Grapefruit League game:
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During the Mets’ 3-2 loss to the Tigers at Clover Park, Mark Vientos hit a ball over the right-field fence in the second inning, hitting his second home run of the spring. Although it didn’t result in a home run at any MLB ballpark, according to Baseball Savant, the 160.7 mph, 329-foot blast made Vientos another prospect in contention for at-bats following Saturday’s two-hit game. He was able to step up to bat — and get a roster spot with the Mets.
Fujinami flinches.
Shintaro Fujinami, who was competing for one of the last spots in the bullpen, was unable to complete the first inning in his second spring appearance, leaving the game with two runners on, giving up three hits and two runs (one earned). I forgave you. He threw 25 pitches. Eleven of his first 15 pitches were four-seam fastballs, but after the Tigers’ Brye Madris doubled, Fujinami threw a cutter or splitter on eight of his final 10 pitches. “I thought Belo was better,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He got up to about 97. He wasn’t even close. … I thought he threw a good splitter with the runner on third base and the infield on base. Overall, we had the content. Ta.”
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Outfielder Mark Cagna, who was traded from the Mets to the Brewers at last season’s trade deadline, signed autographs for Mets fans on the field before the game as he returned to Clover Park. He played left field for the Tigers and went 0-for-3.
Monday schedule
The Mets will host the Marlins at 6:10 p.m., with Tyler Megill starting, but all eyes will be on closer Edwin Diaz. Diaz will follow Megill on the mound, making his first Grapefruit League appearance this season.
