The Yankees and Mets played to a 4-4 tie in 10 innings this afternoon. For a full box score recap follow the link below…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_03_09_nyamlb_nynmlb_1#game=2016_03_09_nyamlb_nynmlb_1,game_tab=box,game_state=Wrapup

Game Notes:

• In Jacob deGrom’s first start of the spring he went 3 innings, while allowing 5 hits on 1 ER and 2 K’s.
• Curtis Granderson made his spring debut as well, and had a nice day at the plate going 2-3 with a run scored.
• Yoenis Cespedes started his first game in CF, and had a 2-3 day at the plate with an RBI.
• Kevin Plawecki was 2-4 with a run scored.
• Addison Reed and Jim Henderson each pitched a perfect frame.
• Antonio Bastardo blew the save in the 9th allowing, two home runs to two Yankees Minor Leaguers.
• Former Mets prospect Cesar Puello who is now with the Yankees, went 0-3 with a strikeout.

deGrom struggled with his control for the most part this afternoon, as he threw 46 pitches in 3 innings and his velocity hovered between 91-93 mph. But for his first start of the spring, health means more than results at this point, and I would put my money on deGrom having his best stuff come Opening Night. The return of Jim Henderson continues as he had another clean inning of work and is making his case to make the 25-man roster out of spring. You can’t help but root for Henderson as besides for his latest rash of injuries, has a very good track record from his time with Milwaukee. The 9th inning ought to leave a bad taste in Bastardo’s mouth after allowing two home runs to a pair of minor leaguers to tie the game. Hopefully Bastardo can right the ship and move on quickly after this one, as he is expected to be a major piece to the Mets bullpen this season. 

• The Mets will stay at Tradition Field for tomorrow’s afternoon tilt against the St. Louis Cardinals. Noah Syndergaard will make his spring debut for the Mets, and face Cardinals southpaw Jaime Garcia.  First pitch is at 1:10 pm et and can be seen on SNY or MLB.tv.