Luis Cruz Makes Spring Debut

Tuesday the Astros fell 6-2 to the New York Mets. There was some early trouble in the ballgame as both starters factored into the decision of the game. Luis Cruz also made his spring debut.

Rudy Owens, who missed most of last season, could be in the mix for spot on the 25-man roster. But his first appearance of this spring training was rough to say the least. He was chased from the first inning after yielding three earned runs and recording just one out. Jorge De Leon entered the game with the bases loaded. He was able to resolve the situation with a fly out and a line out to left fielder L.J. Hoes.

Five Astros pitchers were brought into the game after Owens and De Leon. Josh Fields allowed two hits in his inning of work. Luis Cruz, Paul Clemens, Bobby Doran, and Nick Tropeano also got some spring action. Cruz, Doran, and Tropeano were all making their 2014 debuts.

Cruz was added to the Astros 40-man roster last November in preparation for the Rule V draft. So far the decision looks to be a good one. Cruz was unfazed with an early error by Villar as he retired the next six men he faced. The young lefty from Puerto Rico struck out two batters in his second inning of work. Oh and talk about efficiency — despite that error and the two strikeouts, he threw just eleven pitches.

The Astros only runs came via a 2-run homer off the bat of Jonathan Villar. The home run was the club’s second this Spring Training.

Jonathan Villar (Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports)

For the Mets, Curtis Granderson did some damage slugging two home runs. A 2-run homer came off of Owens while a solo shot in the bottom of the second came off of De Leon. Zach Wheeler limited the Astros to two hits through his three innings. One was quickly erased as Cesar Izturis was thrown out trying to stretch his single into a double.