Chris Narveson, 4 Marlins relievers combine to shut down Mets
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -- Chris Narveson combined with four relievers on a two-hitter, leading the Miami Marlins over the New York Mets 1-0 on Tuesday.
Narveson pitched three innings and allowed both hits. Paul Clemens, Dustin McGowan, Brad Hand and Cody Ege each were perfect.
"Dustin threw the ball good, Brad was good today, Ege threw the ball good," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "Obviously when you throw a shutout you've thrown the ball pretty good. It was a good day for us."
After Yoenis Cespedes' bloop single with two outs in the third inning, the final 19 Mets hitters were retired in order.
With multiple pitchers vying for roles in the Marlins bullpen, Mattingly said Tuesday's performance makes decisions tougher.
"That's really what you ask for from the beginning of spring training," he said. "You want everybody to do really well and make it really hard on us to make a decision. You try to make a good one and hopefully you get it right.
Adeiny Hechavarria scored the game's only run on Dee Gordon's third-inning single. Martin Prado was 2 for 3 with a double for the Marlins.
Sean Gilmartin, starting in place of Matt Harvey, allowed one run and three hits in three innings. Harvey had a blood clot in his bladder Monday and was limited in his activity Tuesday.
STARTING TIME
Marlins: Narveson was scheduled to pitch Monday against the Nationals, but the game was rained out. He's hoping to fill a spot starter/long relief role for the Marlins.
"I like that role," Narveson said. "Being that guy who can do a lot of different things is huge, especially over a 162-game schedule. You have a lot of different situations and scenarios - rain outs, rain delays. Those are some of the small things you have to deal with some times."
Mets: Gilmartin was informed Monday he was replacing Harvey in the exhibition start.
"I pride myself in being ready at any possible moment," Gilmartin said. "That's something I learned a little bit from last year is just being ready whenever the team needs you to step up. Today was a pretty good indicator I'm ready to do whatever they want me to do."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (knee) had eight minor league at-bats Tuesday. He is scheduled to play in the team's final Grapefruit League game Wednesday. . Third baseman David Wright (back) played all nine innings for the first time this spring. He is scheduled to play a full game against Wednesday.
MAKING PLANS
Mets manager Terry Collins announced Noah Syndergaard will start the second game of the season in Kansas City. Bartolo Colon will be available to pitch in relief for the first two games of the season and Steven Matz could come out of the bullpen during the second game.
Jacob deGrom is scheduled to start the home opener April 8 against Philadelphia.
ROSTER MOVES
The Marlins released utility player Don Kelly and outfielder Justin Maxwell and optioned right handers Jose Urena and Nefi Ogando to Triple-A New Orleans.
STREAKING
The Mets have not won since beating the Marlins 6-5 on March 17. They are 0-9-3 in the past 12 games.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP David Phelps is slated to start against St. Louis on Wednesday.
Mets: Harvey is to start against Washington and will be followed by Syndergaard. Max Scherzer opens for the Nationals.
