DeGrom goes 6-plus innings in Mets 3-3 tie with Braves
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) - Jacob deGrom pitched six-plus strong innings and drove in a run as the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves played to a 10-inning 3-3 tie Saturday.
In his longest start of spring training, deGrom struck out five and allowed a walk and two earned runs on three hits.
After retiring the first nine batters, he allowed back-to-back singles in the bottom of the fourth before Adonis Garcia grounded into a run-scoring double play.
"It was a little hot out there today, but it felt good, the slider felt good," deGrom said. "Last year (playing into the World Series) was a long year. That was the most I'd thrown, so taking a little more time in the offseason helped me prepare to use spring training to build into the year and get a little more to get ready."
In the top of the fifth, deGrom drove in a run when Marc Krauss scored on a groundout to first.
"I would've liked to have a hit there, but (Braves first baseman) Freddie (Freeman) got in the way," deGrom said. "An RBI, I'll take it, because I actually pulled the ball, which is strange (for me)."
Braves starter Bud Norris allowed two runs on four hits, struck out five and walked three.
"The last couple (of starts in spring training) are really important just to get deeper into games and fine tune everything," Norris said. "It was nice to pitch deep into a game since it was hotter than you know what out there, but it felt great to go six."
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez enjoyed Saturday's pitching matchup that was briskly played through the first three innings with Norris and deGrom combining to retire 17 of the 18 batters.
"Bud did a great job and, so did deGrom - those two guys matched up well with each other, I'm sure that's a matchup we'll see again probably a lot later this season," Gonzalez said.
In the sixth, Michael Borne pinch hit for Norris and hit a triple, the Braves 12th this spring, which leads the Grapefruit League.
STARTING TIME
Braves: Norris threw 96 pitches, 59 for strikes, in his fifth, and longest, start of the spring, which lasted six innings. Norris has allowed 13 earned runs in his last three starts.
Mets: DeGrom has held opponents to three runs and 13 hits in 16 2/3 Grapefruit League innings. He has walked two and struck out 15.
GOEDDEL GOOD TO GO
Mets RHP Erik Goeddel made just his second relief appearance of the spring, pitching a scoreless 10th inning and allowing a hit, a walk and picking up a strikeout.
The 27-year-old reliever is returning from a lat strain and has made two appearances in the past three days after making his first Thursday when he gave up two runs on two hits to Boston.
"The fastball is feeling better every time I go out," Goeddel said.
In 2015, Goeddel went 1-1 with a 2.43 ERA in 35 appearances as a rookie.
CHIPPER GETS THE NOD
Braves Hall of Fame third baseman Chipper Jones was greeted with rousing applause when he delivered the starting lineup card to home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez and Mets manager Terry Collins.
In December, the Braves announced Jones would join the team's front office as special assistant to baseball operations, which involves him assisting the team, as well as providing batting instruction, periodically throughout the year.
Jones, who spent most of the game assisting from the dugout, said earlier in camp this spring that he plans to make at least one appearance per home series in Atlanta.
In a 19-year career with the Braves, Jones batted .303 with 468 home runs, 2,726 hits and 1,623 RBI en route to winning the 1999 NL MVP award and a World Series title in 1995.
UP NEXT
Braves: RHP Jhoulys Chacin is set to start against a Washington split squad in Viera on Sunday. The Nationals are set to send RHP Gio Gonzalez to the mound.
Mets: LHP Steven Matz will start against a split squad Nationals team in Port St. Lucie on Sunday. The Nationals are set to send RHP Yusmeiro Petit to the mound.