The New York Mets rolled to a 9-0 victory over the Miami Marlins at Clover Park on Monday in spring training action. Carson Benge paced the offense, going 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBI, giving the coaching staff plenty to be encouraged about as the exhibition schedule continues. On the mound, Zach Thornton turned in a solid outing, working 3.0 innings of scoreless ball with three strikeouts. The Mets finished with 8 hits on the day while holding the Marlins to 5. It was an encouraging performance for the Mets as they continue sharpening the roster for the regular season. Games like these serve as a valuable measuring stick for where the team stands heading into the campaign.
Key Performers
Carson Benge was the standout at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBI. The ability to drive the ball into the gaps stood out. It was the kind of day at the plate that suggests good things ahead for the Mets offense.
Ryan Clifford added to the attack, going 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI, Ronny Mauricio provided support, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, and Tyrone Taylor also contributed, going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. It was a balanced attack that kept the pressure on from the first pitch to the last.
On the other side of the diamond, Connor Norby led the Marlins offense with a 2-for-3 day. Carter Johnson also contributed, going 1-for-1 with a double. Heriberto Hernández added a 1-for-2 effort as well. Despite those contributions, the Mets pitching staff did enough to limit the damage and secure the victory.
On the Mound
Zach Thornton earned the win after grinding through his innings, working 3.0 innings while allowing 0 earned runs on 2 hits with three strikeouts. He threw 54 pitches in the outing. His outing provided the coaching staff with another data point as rotation and bullpen decisions loom.
The bullpen was excellent, combining for 6.0 scoreless innings while striking out three. The relief corps did its job in protecting the lead after the starter departed. Managing the bullpen workload is a key priority during the spring, and every outing helps the coaching staff gauge who is ready for high-leverage situations.
Among the relievers, Devin Williams stood out with 1.0 innings of scoreless work, striking out two. The outing gave the coaching staff confidence in his ability to contribute this season.
How It Happened
The Mets struck first, plating four runs in the first inning. The Mets tacked on a run in the second. The Mets pushed across four runs in the sixth. The Mets spread their scoring across three different innings, applying consistent pressure throughout the game. The Mets out-hit Marlins 8-5 on the day, with 4 errors committed between the two clubs. A crowd of 6,211 was on hand to take in the action.
Looking Ahead
It was a productive day for the Mets, who continue to put the pieces in place ahead of the regular season. The coaching staff will take the positives from this outing and use the remaining spring games to finalize the roster. Days like this one suggest the Mets are heading in the right direction as Opening Day draws closer.
