Latest on Mets in World Baseball Classic: Francisco Lindor singles in Puerto Rico’s loss to Venezuela
Here are the latest updates on current and former Mets who are playing in the World Baseball Classic…
March 13, 12:50 a.m.
Francisco Lindor, Eduardo Escobar and Omar Narváez were the three Mets in action during Sunday’s Pool D game between Puerto Rico and Venezuela — a 9-6 Venezuela win over Puerto Rico.
Lindor led off and started at short for Puerto Rico. The highlight of his 1-for-4 day offensively was a single through the right side that sparked a four-run sixth inning. Three batters later, Lindor scored and cut Puerto Rico’s deficit to 9-3.
Escobar was on the winning team and started at third but had an 0-for-5 day at the plate while batting ninth.
Narváez replaced Salvador Perez at catcher for the final three innings, including a pinch-hit appearance in the seventh where he struck out to end the frame.
Puerto Rico faces Israel Monday at 7 p.m. Venezuela takes on Nicaragua Tuesday at noon.
March 12, 12:54 p.m.
Former Met Matt Harvey had another strong performance in the WBC for Team Italy, as he allowed just one run on two hits with three strikeouts over 4.0 IP in a 7-1 win over the Netherlands.
The victory created a five-way tie in Pool A, with all of the teams finishing 2-2, and advanced Italy to the second round of the tournament where Mets great and Team Italy manager Mike Piazza will take on Team Japan (4-0).
Harvey is now 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA over two starts in the WBC, as he’s allowed just one run on four hits, including a home run, with one walk and three strikeouts in seven innings of work.
March 11, 4:50 p.m.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor had himself a day for Team Puerto Rico’s first WBC game this year. The infielder went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs. Lindor was the table-setter for his teammates as Puerto Rico beat Nicaragua, 9-1, on Saturday afternoon.
Former Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman held Nicaragua to two hits and one run over 4 2/3 innings. Stroman also struck out two.
Javier Baez, another former Met, went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run.
March 10, 1:16 a.m.
Former Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada had the big blow of the late Pool A games.
With Panama down 2-0 to Cuba, Tejada — who hit just 10 home runs in seven season with the Mets — launched a two-run shot to tie the game in the second inning. Through four innings, Tejada was 1-for-2 with that big fly.
In the same game, Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was not in the starting lineup 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 well represented as Pete Alonso got the start at first base and Jeff McNeil subbed in for Mookie Betts at second base in the fourth inning.
Batting sixth, Alonso went 1-for-4 with a strikeout while McNeil, who was batting second, went 0-for-3 including a pinch-hit strikeout. McNeil is now 0-for-6 with two Ks after getting the start at second base against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.
The infielder did, however, make a nice play to his left and got the lead runner out at second base for the fielder’s choice.
Brooks Raley came on in the sixth inning and pitched a 1-2-3 inning to help preserve the shutout.
March 9, 10:17 a.m.
During Team Italy’s 6-3 win over Team Cuba, former Mets Matt Harvey and Yoenis Cespedes were front and center.
Harvey, who last pitched in the majors with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021, got the start and allowed two hits while twirling three scoreless innings.
He faced Cespedes in the second inning, getting him to ground out to second base.
With the game tied, 2-2, in the top of the 10th, Italy erupted for four runs and held on for a 6-3 victory.
