Wright hits 3rd home run in Mets' 4-3 loss to Astros

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) David Wright hit his third home run of spring training, a two-run drive in the New York Mets' 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

Wright, limited to eight home runs last year by a lingering shoulder injury, has three home runs and nine RBIs in his past seven games.

''It's good to see results,'' Wright said. ''Although it's spring training and ultimately, statistically speaking, it doesn't mean all that much, you want to get results and do positive things. Confidence-wise, as far as working on things, I feel like I'm having some good at-bats.''

Mets starter Dillon Gee allowed four hits in four scoreless innings and struck out one. Houston's Collin McHugh gave up three runs - two earned - and two hits in five innings with seven strikeouts.

''He was throwing a lot of breaking balls and a lot of off-speed pitches and I wanted to go up there with a plan,'' Wright said.

Jake Marisnick was 2 for 2 with a solo homer and Luis Valbuena was 2 for 2 with a double and a RBI for the Astros.

STARTING TIME

Astros: McHugh, who likely will be the Astros third or fourth starter this season, said everything is progressing well.

''We wanted to get the pitch count up,'' McHugh said. ''We got over 75 pitches, which is good. It's what we were working for. I think I have one more start to get up to that 100 plateau before the season starts. Getting five innings under my belt, getting through the lineup two-and-a-half times - things I haven't done this spring - it's good.''

Mets: Gee is competing with Rafael Montero to be the Mets fifth starter.

''I was upset about 70 pitches through four innings,'' Gee said. ''But (pitching coach Dan Warthen) said, `Remember, I kind of limited you to fastball, changeup the first time through the order. You might have been able to put someone away faster if you were able to use everything.' We were just working on seeing how good of a pitcher I can be with just two pitches and not break out the other stuff.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said he's hopeful All-Star second baseman Daniel Murphy (pulled hamstring) will be ready for opening day. Murphy, who has not played since March 19, has been cleared for baseball activities.

Mets reliever Vic Black (shoulder) played catch Tuesday. Alderson said Black could start the season on the disabled list.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Jennings said his primarily goal before throwing the pitch was not to ''emulate'' 50 Cent.

The star rapper threw out a memorable first pitch at Citi Field last year - the ball sailed far wide of home plate and almost hit some photographers before bouncing to the backstop.

''I said if I just get it from Point A to Point B without it stopping at Point F, I would be OK,'' Jennings said.

UP NEXT

Astros: Houston travels to Clearwater on Wednesday to play the Philadelphia Phillies. Asher Wojciechowski starts for the Astros against Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez.

Mets: New York plays the New York Yankees on Wednesday in Tampa. Montero starts for the Mets against Masahiro Tanaka.