Result: Mets 8, Cardinals 0
Weather: 72 degrees, clear
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – Matthew Liberatore and Ryan Fernandez have been practically perfect all spring for the Cardinals – until Monday night.
Liberatore and Fernandez each allowed their first runs of the spring in the loss to the Mets in Port St. Lucie.
Liberatore had worked seven scoreless innings before giving up two runs to the Mets. Fernandez also allowed two runs after throwing five scoreless innings in his first five games of the spring.
It also wasn’t a good night for starter Sonny Gray, who gave up two homers and six hits over his four innings.
Here is how Monday night’s game broke down:
High: Luken Baker, celebrating his birthday, had one of the Cardinals’ three hits.
Low: Masyn Winn was 0-of-3 and struck out twice and is now hitting .103 for the spring.
At the plate: The other hits for the Cardinals were a single by Nolan Gorman and a double by Jose Barrero … The Cardinals struck out 13 times in the game and were 0-of-4 with runners in scoring position … Two of the strikeouts came from Michael Siani, who was 0-of-3 and is now hitting .040 for the spring.
On the mound: Gray has allowed a combined five home runs in his first two starts this spring. He struck out four and walked one … The runs off Fernandez came on the Mets’ third homer of the game … Liberatore had not allowed a hit in his seven innings before giving up four hits and a walk in 2 2/3 innings.
Worth noting: Jordan Walker continues to make progress in his recovery from inflammation in his left knee suffered last week. The last box he needs to check before returning to the lineup is to be able to sprint at full-speed, which the Cardinals expect will happen in the next couple of days … The combined seven home runs between the Cardinals and Yankees on Sunday were the most in a game in Jupiter since the Cardinals and Marlins combined to hit nine in a game in 2008. The four home runs by the Cardinals were the most they had in a game in Jupiter since 2013.
Up next: The Cardinals will be back in Jupiter on Tuesday to play the Marlins. Erick Fedde is the scheduled starter.
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