PORT ST. LUCIE — The novelty of Clay Holmes’ state of affairs prolonged past pitching for the Mets for the primary time Saturday.
For the primary time since 2019 with the Pirates, he was a beginning pitcher.
Holmes’ Mets debut was successful on all counts, beginning with the actual fact the Astros didn’t contact him for 3 innings.
Over these three good frames, Holmes struck out three and wanted solely 34 pitches within the Mets’ 6-2 exhibition win over the Astros. He later went to the bullpen and threw one other 15 to finish his afternoon of labor.
“A new team, the first start in a real game in a while, I was just reflecting on that and realizing the opportunity that I have and who I am doing it with,” Holmes stated. “It was an exciting day and it was special. I definitely felt it coming to the park today.”
Holmes, who arrived on a three-year contract value $38 million following a profitable stint as a reliever with the Yankees, has labored on incorporating a changeup into his arsenal.
He threw the pitch seven occasions.
“I think it’s going to be a weapon to lefties, but I think really it’s going to help me protect my sinker,” Holmes stated. “There will be more of a speed gap between my sinker and changeup that are going down and away to a lefty and maybe open up more room for a cutter or four-seam. Really just expand the arsenal and just have a few different looks where they are not the same speed, the same movement.”
Principally, he was environment friendly.
“I was just feeling the energy, feeling the adrenaline — putting the uniform on with a lot of guys, it felt good,” Holmes stated. “It’s nice to get some ground balls and let the defense work.”
The attendance of seven,394 was the Mets’ second-largest for an opener in Port St. Lucie.
Ty Adcock is scheduled to face the Nationals in Port St. Lucie on Sunday.
A Mets split-squad will journey to Jupiter, Fla., with Max Kranick on the mound towards the Marlins.
