Late Castro Homer Leads Mets Past Braves
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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Ramon Castro is embracing his new role as the Mets’ backup catcher.
Castro hit a one-out homer in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Mets a 7-6 victory over the Atlanta Braves yesterday.
Castro appears to have earned the backup role to Mike Piazza, who hit his first homer of the spring, after the Mets traded Jason Phillips to the Dodgers for Kazuhisa Ishii on Sunday.
Braves starter Tim Hudson pitched four scoreless innings after missing a start with a stiff back. Hudson allowed only three hits and did not walk a batter.
Tom Glavine didn’t fare as well for the Mets, allowing six runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. The left-hander gave up two home runs to Wilson Betemit and another to Ryan Langerhans.
“I was bound to have a bad one (start) sooner or later, I guess, but I don’t like having it all at once,” Glavine said. “Part of the process down here is reacquainting yourself with making pitches when you’re a little bit tired. I certainly have something to work on.”
Castro connected on a 1-1 slider off Atlanta reliever Chris Mears. The ball barely cleared the left-center field fence, giving the Mets their 12th win in 19 spring games.
Victor Diaz hit a three-run homer in the third, and Piazza homered off Gabe White to cut Atlanta’s lead to 6-5 in the sixth inning. Infielder Jeff Keppinger tied it at 6 in the bottom of the eight with a run-scoring single.
Second baseman Kaz Matsui missed another game with discomfort in his upper back, but Mets manager Willie Randolph said he wasn’t concerned and that the second baseman could have played.
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JETER, WILLIAMS STILL AILING
Derek Jeter’s bruised left foot will keep him out of the Yankees’ lineup until at least tomorrow. Jeter hasn’t played since fouling a ball off his foot on Saturday. Jeter underwent treatment, but didn’t take part in any on-field drills this week.
Center fielder Bernie Williams, sidelined by a upper back strain, took part in pregame stretching drills, but hasn’t resumed hitting or throwing. He was hurt during batting practice Sunday and will miss at least a few more days.
