The New York Mets took to Clover Park on Wednesday, facing off against the St. Louis Cardinals in a spring training matchup that ended in a 6-0 loss. While the scoreboard wasn't in the Mets' favor, the game offered plenty of insights and individual performances worth diving into.
Carson Benge: A Bright Spot
Carson Benge stole the show for the Mets' offense. Starting in right field, Benge went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.
He demonstrated his versatility with a single to third base in the first inning, followed by another to left in the third, and capped it off with a hit through the right side in the fifth. Benge's impressive .375 batting average and .750 OPS early in camp are turning heads.
His approach at the plate was calm and collected, capitalizing on what the pitchers offered and consistently finding ways to reach base.
Regulars Finding Their Groove
The regular lineup had a quieter day. Juan Soto, batting second, went 0-for-2 before A.J.
Ewing took over in the fifth. Soto's spring average is at .143, but it's all part of the process of regaining timing.
Francisco Alvarez and Mark Vientos also went hitless, but these outings are more about tracking pitches and settling back into the batter’s box.
Further down the lineup, Vidal Bruján had a standout performance, going 2-for-2 with two solid singles. A.J.
Ewing also made an impact with a sharp double to center in the eighth. Despite these efforts, the Mets left eight runners on base and struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position, going 1-for-8.
Pitching Highlights and Lows
On the mound, Jonah Tong started strong, retiring the side in the first with three groundouts. However, trouble brewed in the third inning.
After a walk to JJ Wetherholt and a single by Chase Davis, Tong left a pitch over the plate that Nolan Gorman sent over the fence for a three-run homer. Tong ended his outing with two strikeouts and one walk over 2.2 innings, lifting his spring ERA to 10.13.
Despite the numbers, Tong's ability to induce ground balls early on is a positive takeaway.
The bullpen saw mixed results. Douglas Orellana secured the final out of the third.
Luis García and Adbert Alzolay each delivered scoreless innings, with Alzolay allowing just one hit. Nick Burdi, however, struggled, conceding two runs on two hits and a walk in the sixth, compounded by a passed ball.
Joe Jacques also allowed a run in the seventh on three hits.
On the flip side, Matt Turner was electric in the eighth, striking out two without allowing a hit. Aaron Rozek closed out the game with a clean ninth inning.
Looking Ahead
Seeing young talents like Carson Benge shine against major league pitching is encouraging. Veterans like Juan Soto and Francisco Alvarez are expected to hit their stride as they shake off the offseason rust. Meanwhile, the Cardinals capitalized on their opportunities, with switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje presenting challenges from both sides of the mound late in the game.
Spring training is a time for experimentation and adjustment, and while the Mets didn't come away with the win, the individual performances provide a glimpse of potential as the regular season approaches.