Francisco Lindor leads Puerto Rico to win over Nicaragua
Here are the latest updates on current and former Mets playing at the World Baseball Classic…
March. 11, 4:50 p.m
Met’s shortstop Francisco Lindor had a day for Team Puerto Rico’s first WBC game of the year. The infielder went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs. Lindor was the table presenter for his teammates as Puerto Rico beat Nicaragua 9-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Former Mets pitcher Markus Stroman held Nicaragua to two hits and a run for 4 2/3 innings. Stroman also hit two.
Javier Baez, another former Met, went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run.
Mar 10, 1:16 am
Former Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada had the big hit of the late Pool A games.
After Panama fell 2-0 to Cuba, Tejada — who hit just 10 homers in seven seasons with the Mets — launched a two-barreled shot to tie the game in the second inning. Through four innings, Tejada was 1-for-2 with that great fly.
In the same game, Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes did not start in Cuba’s third game after starting the last two.
March 9, 6:31 p.m
A trio of Mets players took the stage for Team USA on Thursday as they defeated the Los Angeles Angels 6-0 in an exhibition game.
The right side of the infield for New York was also well represented Peter Alonso got the start at first base and Jeff McNeil substituted in for Mookie Betts at second base in the fourth inning.
In sixth, Alonso batted 1-4 with a strikeout while McNeil, who batted second, went 0-3 including a pinch-hit strikeout. McNeil is now 0-for-6 with two Ks after starting at second base against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.
However, the infielder made a nice play to his left and brought out the lead runner at second base for fielder’s choice.
Brooks Raley came on in the sixth inning and put up a 1-2-3 inning to save the shutout.
March 9, 10:17 am
During Team Italy’s 6-3 win over Team Cuba, ex-Mets Matt Harvey And Yoenis Cespedes were front and center.
Harvey, who last played in the majors with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021, got the start and allowed two hits while going three scoreless innings.
He faced Cespedes in the second inning and made him go to second base.
With a tie, 2-2, at the top of 10th, Italy broke out for four runs and held on to a 6-3 win.