PORT ST. LUCIE — The Nationals brought their “A” lineup to town on Friday and gave Steven Matz an “A” kicking.
In a performance that may have sounded a few alarms given the unsteady manner in which the Mets left-hander has pitched this spring, Matz allowed eight runs, including four homers, over two innings in his team’s 11-3 exhibition loss at First Data Field.
It was a second rough performance in his last three for Matz, who is pitching to a 10.97 ERA in the Grapefruit League.
On a windy day — the breeze was blowing out to left field — Matz allowed homers to Adam Eaton, Yan Gomes, Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman.