Blackburn Perfect, Minter Returns in Mets Win

Paul Blackburn might have been feeling the heat in the race to make the Mets rotation following strong starts by Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning. He responded with his best performance of the spring by far, throwing four perfect innings in the Mets 2-0 over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.

Blackburn also had two strikeouts.

“Anytime you go out there and put up zeros and have a good outing, it’s just gonna give you confidence,” Blackburn said after his outing.

Mets fans got more good news on Wednesday as potential setup man A.J. Minter made his debut after getting hip surgery in August. Minter didn’t allow a hit in his one inning, recording one strikeout.

“It’s exciting to be here. It’s an exciting time to be a Met.” Minter said.

The rest of the Mets relievers – Danny Young, Tyler Zuber (two innings) and TJ Shook – followed up Minter with a combined four scoreless innings. Young, who is vying for a spot in the bullpen, gave up one hit and had two strikeouts in his one inning of work.

The Mets offense was relatively quiet with two runs on six hits. Francisco Lindor had an RBI single and third baseman William Lugo blasted a pinch-hit solo homer in the ninth to supply the runs. Tyrone Taylor doubled and Pete Alonso, Jesse Winker and Starling Marte all singled.

Player of the Game 

Blackburn, who might be trailing Megill and Canning in the race for a rotation spot, needed a good game and delivered. The right-hander was incredibly efficient, throwing only 37 pitches, with 26 of them coming for strikes.

Up Next

On Thursday, David Peterson looks to continue his excellent spring against the Boston Red Sox at 1:10 p.m. ET in Port St. Lucie. The game is not on TV.

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