Mets LHP Oliver Perez shaky in spring debut against Nationals

Mets’ Perez shaky in spring debut

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Oliver Perez looked shaky in his first spring start, but Omir Santos hit an inside-the-park grand slam to help the New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 6-5 on Sunday.

Perez, coming off a terrible 2009, allowed five runs and seven hits in three innings. The notoriously wild left-hander issued just one walk and struck out two.

Jason Marquis, who signed a free-agent deal with Washington in the offseason, also had a rough start in his first spring game. He gave up five runs and three hits in two innings.

Santos hit a drive into the left-field corner in the second that Willy Taveras signaled was out of play after trying to retrieve it. The umpire ruled it was in play as Santos circled the bases.