03/31/07 3:43 PM ET
Pelfrey roughed up in final spring start
Righty allows eight runs, 10 hits; Delgado hits first homer
By Bill Chastain / MLB.com
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at Tropicana Field
Saturday, March 31 Mets at the plate: Carlos Delgado hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning on a 1-2 pitch from Rays starter James Shields; the home run was Delgado's first of the spring. Jose Valentin added a solo home run off Shields in the fifth. Rays at the plate: Carl Crawford hit a first-inning triple, and Rocco Baldelli walked to set the table for Ty Wigginton, who homered off Mets right-hander Mike Pelfry. Dioner Navarro doubled home another run in the first to give Tampa Bay a 4-0 lead. Mets on the mound: Pelfry had enjoyed a pretty good spring until Saturday, when he allowed eight runs on 10 hits, a home run, a walk, two hit batters and a wild pitch in four innings. Rays on the mound: Shields started and pitched a solid five innings in his final tuneup before making his first regular-season start Thursday against the Yankees. The right-hander allowed three runs on four hits, two homers and a walk while striking out five in five innings. Shields threw 41 of his 60 pitches for strikes. Grapefruit League records: Mets 12-21; Rays 10-19. Up next: The Rays will travel to New York on Sunday in advance of Monday's Opening Day contest against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium at 1:05 p.m. ET. Left-hander Scott Kazmir will start for the Rays; right-hander Carl Pavano will start for the Yankees.
The Mets will travel to St. Louis to open the season against the Cardinals on Sunday night in an 8:05 contest. Left-hander Tom Glavine will start for the Mets; right-hander Chris Carpenter will start for the Cardinals.
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.












