VERO BEACH â- Not a good beginning for Oliver Perez, who is making his first start of the spring here against the Dodgers.
Perez was touched for three runs on four hits in the first, although he wasnât hit hard. The key hit for the Dodgers was a bloop, two-out single that dropped between second baseman Ruben Gotay and rookie right fielder Fernando Martinez to drive in Andruw Jones and Russell Martin.
Jones had doubled down the left-field line to score leadoff hitter Juan Pierre, who reached on a single.
Perez had difficulty placing his fastball and got frustrated at times in the first because he worked behind so many hitters. Jonesâ double came on a 3-2 count, and Perez walked Martin.
Perez had an easier time in the second, which was also his final inning. The left-hander retired the side with the help of a double play after No. 9 hitter Gary Bennett led off with a hard single. The Mets were down 3-0 when Perez exited.
Windy conditions here in Dodgertown also have been a problem for the Mets, who brought a thin lineup because of so many injuries to their regulars.
