PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Johan Santana struggled in his first game since August, allowing four runs on six hits in 1 2-3 innings, and the Houston Astros beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Tuesday.
Kaz Matsui hit a solo homer for the first of four straight hits in the first inning off Santana, who struck out one and walked one.
The left-hander made it through the short outing with no setbacks as he continues to build strength following Sept. 1 surgery to remove bone spurs from his elbow.
Brett Myers gave up two runs on four hits in three innings, including a two-run homer to David Wright in the first, and Pedro Feliz added a two-run shot for Houston.