PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets ace Johan Santana struggled for the first time this spring and was pulled in the third inning Friday of a 9-0 loss to the Detroit Tigers.
Out of the majors last year while recovering from shoulder surgery, Santana had not allowed a run in his first two exhibition starts. But the two-time Cy Young gave up five runs — four earned — on four hits and two walks in 2 2-3 innings. He didn’t have any strikeouts.
Santana retired his first four batters, but seven of the next 10 hitters reached base against the left-hander.
Delmon Young had two hits, including a two-run single in the third inning, and scored twice.
Detroit starter Rick Porcello threw four scoreless innings, giving up four hits and striking out three.
