Game 2B Spring Training: Astros Top Mets, 4-1

While most of the attention was on Johan Santana versus the Cardinals last night, the second half of the Mets squad faced-off against the Houston Astros. Chris Schwinden got the nod for the Mets, but couldn’t quite match Santana’s success.

The right-hander hurled two innings, giving-up two hits, one earned-run (three total), a walk, and one strikeout. Recent signee Fernando Cabrera relieved Schwinden with two innings of his own, and was equally mediocre–surrendering three hits, one earned-run, and a strikeout. Luckily, the combination of Jeremy Hefner, Armando Rodriguez, and Josh Stinson stopped the bleeding for four innings. The Mets have been very high on Rodriguez, so his scoreless frame only solidified their praise.

The Mets hitters were stifled by Astros “ace” Wandy Rodriguez, who tossed three scoreless innings–only giving up a double to Lucas Duda. Duda, in fact, was the only Mets regular to record a hit, as Ruben Tejada (who hit leadoff) and Daniel Murphy both went hitless. Besides Duda, the other offense came from Cesar Puello, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and Josh Satin. With Ike Davis and Justin Turner playing against the Cardinals, it gave Satin a chance to snare some time at first base. Some–including Rising Apple–believe that Satin, not Turner, should be the Mets back-up first baseman. Satin went 2 for 3 in the game, recording the Mets sole RBI.

In the end, the three-run deficit was too much for the Mets offense to overcome. Including the win over the Cardinals, the Mets’ Spring Training record stands at 1-2.