Rodrigo Lopez gave up three runs in the first inning, two of them coming on Andres Galarraga's homer, and the New York Mets yesterday defeated the Orioles, 5-1.
Lopez picked off two runners or the inning might have been worse. The Mets collected five hits. Doug Mientkiewicz and Luis Garcia doubled.
Making his fourth spring start, Lopez allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out five.
The Mets loaded the bases with none out in the fourth but were held to one run. Matt Ginter held the Orioles to one hit and an unearned run over four innings. They rallied in the fifth against Aaron Heilman, with Enrique Wilson reaching on an infield hit and Brian Roberts singling with one out. But Luis Matos struck out and Wilson was thrown out trying to steal third.
The Orioles' only run scored on Sammy Sosa's sacrifice fly.
Catcher Ramon Castro homered off James Baldwin in the sixth, the ball landing in a back field. A candidate for fifth starter, Baldwin has allowed three homers in his past two outings.
Who's hot
Enrique Wilson: When a batter is credited with a hit after the second baseman bobbles a routine grounder and throws late, he must be hot.
Napoleon Calzado: Six more cuts yesterday and he's still in camp. Keep laying low and maybe no one will notice.
Who's not
Rodrigo Lopez: Lined up to pitch on Opening Day, Lopez was treated like a Triple-A swingman by a team whose roster looked less imposing than the '62 Mets.
Rafael Palmeiro: His average dipped to .174 after going 0-for-3.
James Baldwin: By the time he wakes up this morning, Ramon Castro's ball should have landed - in West Palm.
Injury report
Infielder Chris Stynes underwent surgery Saturday on his fractured left tibia at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale. Doctors inserted a metal plate, and Stynes will remain in a cast for about six weeks. He's expected to miss the entire 2005 season. ... Jay Gibbons took batting practice and fielded grounders, but he still has a touch of pneumonia. ... Miguel Tejada returned to the lineup after missing the past four games, but he was removed after two at-bats. He had a wisdom tooth pulled on Wednesday . ... Javy Lopez continues to play with a sore right elbow and right ring finger.
Sammy Sosa watch
Sosa went 1-for-2 with a single and sacrifice fly before Nick Markakis replaced him in right field. He's batting .290 (9-for-31) with three RBIs.
