Astros Score Big, Hold On To Nip Mets, 7-6

Tebow: Hits baseballs like he hits receivers
(c) Washington Post
Joe Musgrove tossed three shutout innings and the Astros exploded to a 7-0 lead over a split squad of New York Mets on Friday. Then they had to strain to preserve a 7-6 win at Port St. Lucie. The Astros have now reeled off three straight wins to inch back within a game of .500 in spring action at 5-6-2.

Musgrove allowed a hit and a walk while striking out four and dropping his spring ERA to 1.13 as he makes a bid to crack the starting rotation.

Reid Brignac homered to open the scoring then A.J. Reed and Colin Moran took Addison Reed deep as part of a six-run fourth inning.

Much of the Houston bullpen Friday won't be in Houston when the regular season opens so, relax. Ashur Tolliver, Brady Rodgers, Cy Sneed and Brian Holmes were all scored upon. Holmes did manage to get the final out in the ninth for a save. Only lefthander Reymin Guduan made it unscathed and his 2.25 spring ERA in four innings looks impressive compared to the competition.

Former high prospect Moran has been making up for lost time this spring. He added two more hits to raise his spring average to .438. Of course, Moran could double that and still not get past Alex Bregman on the depth chart. Teammate J.D. Davis is in a similar boat, batting .385 this spring but blocked at third base.

Former Heisman winner and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow played the entire game in the outfield for the Mets and was hitless in four trips. Tebow has yet to get a hit in spring action this season.

The Astros announced that they will be skipping Mike Fiers' Saturday start in order to give top prospect Francis Martes a turn in the rotation. He'll pitch the 12:05 Central start at TBPOTPB against Miami veteran Scott Copeland.

- Bob Hulsey