Notable items from Wednesday’s Mets’ Grapefruit League game:
Pen pal
Jorge Lopez and Shintaro Fujinami, two relief pitchers who have had mixed results this spring but could play important roles for the Mets behind strong arms in the bullpen, each pitched one inning. , he did not allow a hit and had a total of four strikeouts.
Fujinami said through an interpreter, “Spring training was a little hectic, but I felt better and I felt fine physically.I felt really good on the mound tonight.” “I am very happy.”
lead astray
The Mets increased their lead to 5-1 in the ninth inning, when Joe Suozzi, son of New York State Representative Tom Suozzi, hit a walk-off sacrifice fly into the frame, clinching the victory.
It caught my eye
Mark Vientos hit a 411-foot sweeper to left-center field in the eighth inning for his third home run of the spring. He has four hits, including two home runs, in his last four games and is competing for the Mets’ third baseman or designated hitter slot.
When Vientos hit a home run on Sunday, it went over the right-field fence and would not have been a home run at any MLB ballpark.
But this time, his explosiveness would have sent all 30 pitches over the fence, according to Baseball Savant.
“I feel like I’m walking around here with a chip on my shoulder and always feeling like I have to prove double,” Vientos said, citing a “story” that has been going on since he started playing baseball. “I will,” he said.
Thursday schedule
Jose Butt will make his second start and fourth overall when the Mets take on the Cardinals in an afternoon game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Austin Adams, Brooks Lally and Johan Ramirez will also be out of the bullpen.
