Jeff Francouer, Jason Bay each hit 2-run homers to lead Mets to 5-2 win over Marlins

Bay, Francouer homer to lead Mets past Marlins 5-2

JUPITER, Fla. — Jeff Francouer and Jason Bay each hit a two-run home run to lead the New York Mets to a 5-2 win over the Florida Marlins on Thursday night.

Mets left-hander Oliver Perez didn’t look like the pitcher who tossed four innings of no-hit ball in his last start. Perez gave up hits to six of the first 13 batters he faced, allowing two earned runs over four innings.

While Perez struggled, Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco struck out seven of the first 12 batters he faced. Nolasco, scheduled to face the Mets in the second game of the season in New York, was perfect through 4 1-3 innings before Bay doubled to right. Francouer followed with his first homer of the spring.

Nolasco, who struck out 16 Braves in his final start of the 2009 season, has 18 strikeouts in in three starts this spring.