Tauchman, Mauricio Homer in 6-6 Tie with Astros

The power and explosiveness of the Mets lineup was on full display early at Clover Park on Tuesday.

Six out of the nine Mets starters had hits, including the first hits of spring for Marcus Semien, Juan Soto, Bo Bichette, and the first home runs of the spring at Clover Park coming off the bats of Mike Tauchman Ronny Mauricio.

The Mets took a big lead over the Astros quickly, driving in four runs in the first after sending all nine batters to the plate in the inning. Soto singled to right, followed by Bichette’s first hit as a Met, a single to third.

Mike Tauchman, coming off surgery to repair a torn right meniscus after the end of the 2025 season, then came up with two on and launched a loud three-run home run over the right field fence.

Later in the inning, Mauricio hit his first of the spring also past the right field wall to extend New York’s lead to 4-0.

The Mets added on to their lead in the second after a Semien double and Bichette sac fly.

Jack Wenninger started the game on the mound for the Mets. He got into a little trouble in the first, allowing one hit and walking two to load the bases, but recorded two strikeouts that allowed him to get out of the inning unscathed. He settled in in the second, giving up a lead-off double, but then retiring the next two he faced, including his third strikeout of the day.

Wenninger finished his day with two scoreless innings, giving up two hits, two walks, and striking out three.

Jonathan Pintaro replaced Wenninger in the third. He retired the side in order before struggling in the fourth and was credited with giving up the first Astros’ run of the day after his relief, Jeffry Yan, allowed an inherited run to score.

Huascar Brazoban saw his first action of spring when he replaced Yan in the fifth, and Austin Warren threw the sixth. Both right-handers retired three of the four batters they faced.

After an AJ Ewing sac fly made it 6-1, Daniel Duarte gave up three runs in the seventh and Josh Blum gave up two in the ninth to bring the score to an even 6-6. Alex Carillo threw a scoreless eighth between them.

In positive defensive news, Juan Soto made a nice shoestring grab in left and Bo Bichette made a slick barehanded grab and throw to first.

ON DECK

The Mets return to Clover Park on Wednesday at 1:10 PM against the St. Louis Cardinals. Right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts will be on the mound for St. Louis.

Jonah Tong will start Wednesday, followed by Nolan McLean on Thursday and Freddy Peralta on Friday.

The post Tauchman, Mauricio Homer in 6-6 Tie with Astros appeared first on Metsmerized Online.