Miami Marlins

Cosart puts in another strong start in Marlins victory over Mets

Published Mar. 21, 2016 5:01 p.m. ET

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -- Jacob deGrom threw four scoreless innings and struck out five for the New York Mets in a 2-1 loss to the Miami Marlins on Monday.

DeGrom, who lowered his ERA to 0.90 this spring, gave up four hits, walked one and didn't allow a runner past second base.

His fastball was clocked between 91-93 mph, but he didn't seem too concerned.

"I feel like it will come," deGrom said of his velocity. "That was on short rest. I'm getting everything back in line mechanics-wise, everything will be there. It's spring training. I'm not worried about it all."

Jarred Cosart kept up his strong spring, throwing 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Cosart, who hasn't permitted a run in four outings this spring, gave up three hits and struck out four.

Chris Johnson was 2 for 3 with a double for the Marlins. Juan Lagares singled and scored a run and Michael Conforto doubled for the Mets.

Mets captain David Wright, playing in back-to-back-games for the first time this spring, was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

"This is just for me a normal spring training buildup now," Wright said. "There's nothing really out of the ordinary. I know it took a little while to get going, but we're going now."

STARTING TIME

Marlins: Cosart has been working with pitching coach Juan Nieves on his delivery. After going 2-5 with a 4.52 ERA in 13 starts last season, the early results are promising.

"The four-pitch walk (to Conforto is the first inning) is the only thing I'm upset about," Cosart said. "I'm excited with everything that's going on with the delivery and really trying to think out there. (Nieves) is trying to get me to where its second nature and I'm just doing it. It's a process. The more I work on it in the bullpen, the more I work on it, it's going to happen."

Mets: At this point in the spring, manager Terry Collins said he's more concerned with deGrom getting outs than his velocity.

"The ball is down in the zone, great change-up, threw some sliders -- I thought he threw the ball good," Collins said. "I think everybody gets caught up because these guys are power pitchers. Some guys, it takes a little longer than others to get it back."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Mets: Asdrubal Cabrera (knee) took ground balls and hit in the batting cages Monday. Cabrera said the next step is running bases. Collins is hopeful Cabrera will be able to hit in minor league games this weekend.

DEGROM'S KRYPTONITE?

Once again, Cosart got a hit off deGrom. The last time he did it was Sept. 15, 2014, after deGrom tied a MLB record by striking out the first eight batters he faced.

"Same pitch -- fastball away," Cosart said of Monday's single to right field. "That's about the only chance I have. He threw me a slider 1-1 and I was like, 'All right, I'm going to get a fastball, might as well close my eyes and swing.' I thought the first baseman caught it."

UP NEXT

Marlins: RHP Jose Fernandez will start Tuesday when Miami hosts the Red Sox in Jupiter. RHP Steven Wright will start for Boston.

Mets: LHP Steven Matz will start against the New York Yankees on Tuesday night in Tampa. RHP Luis Severino will start for the Yankees.