The Mets continued their impressive spring training run with a 6-1 victory over the Cardinals, marking their fourth consecutive win in the Grapefruit League. This brings their record to 9-5, with one tie, showcasing a promising start to the season.
David Peterson took the mound and delivered another strong performance, building on his solid debut earlier this month. Over four innings, Peterson allowed just one run on two hits, striking out three without issuing any walks.
The only blemish was a two-out homer by Nelson Velázquez in the first inning. Peterson's command was evident as he threw 67% of his pitches for strikes.
Despite the early deficit, the Mets quickly responded. Brett Baty's two-out single in the bottom of the first brought home Jorge Polanco, who had reached base with a single and advanced on a Bo Bichette groundout, leveling the score.
The third inning saw the Mets break the game open. Polanco launched his first homer in a Mets uniform, setting the tone for the inning. Bichette followed with a single, and after a Baty groundout, Francisco Alvarez crushed a 439-foot homer, extending the lead to 4-1.
Baty, showcasing his versatility in right field, added to his productive day with another RBI single in the fifth. He finished with two hits, two RBIs, and a run scored, demonstrating his potential impact on the lineup.
Ji Hwan Bae kept the momentum going with a triple in the sixth, adding another run to the Mets' tally.
On the mound, Brooks Raley delivered a flawless fifth inning, while Christian Scott provided three scoreless innings in relief, striking out four. Although he issued four walks, he managed to limit the damage to just one hit.
Bryan Hudson wrapped up the game with a scoreless ninth, sealing the victory for New York. The Mets' combination of strong pitching and timely hitting continues to be a winning formula as they look ahead to the regular season.