Cecchini, Conforto homer; Mets 2-hit Red Sox

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Three Mets pitchers combined to no-hit the Red Sox for six innings before Hanley Ramirez rifled a double into the gap in right-center to open the bottom of the seventh of New York's 3-2 victory over Boston on Friday at JetBlue Park.
Michael Conforto, who is trying to carve out a role in a crowded outfield, roped a solo homer to right in the third inning of the Grapefruit League opener for both teams.
Conforto singled in the first inning to help set up the first run for New York. Gavin Cecchini, the Mets' No. 7 prospect, drilled a solo shot over the replica Green Monster against Henry Owens in the second.

Seth Lugo, Marcos Molina -- New York's 14th-ranked prospect -- and Rafael Montero were the trio to hold Boston hitless, going two innings apiece. Lugo, a candidate for the Mets' fifth-starter job, could also win a bullpen spot.
"I was just trying to work on pitching," Lugo said. "I tried to go in there with no expectations. That's the best way to keep things simple. I was just trying to feel everything out."

Ramirez's double was against righty Josh Edgin and set the table for a two-run homer by non-roster invitee Brian Bogusevic. Owens, who is trying to re-emerge at least as a depth option for the Red Sox after a tough 2016 season, allowed three hits and two runs over two innings, walking one and striking out four. Brandon Workman pitched for Boston for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery and got a double play to escape a jam in a scoreless eighth inning. Lefty Fernando Abad was sharp for the Sox, striking out two of the three batters he faced.
"It was good to see everyone get to the mound and throw strikes as they did," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "Robby Scott made a couple of big pitches with men on base. You're always interested to see how they're going to handle those types of situations. Overall, guys came out of the bullpen, they threw the ball over the plate, some swing-and-miss to the stuff. So, from the pitching side of things, it was a pretty good day."
WHAT'S NEXT
Mets:Yoenis Céspedes, Curtis Granderson and possibly David Wright will make their spring debuts when the Mets host the Nationals on Saturday at 1:10 p.m. ET in their Grapefruit League home opener. Wright is tentatively scheduled to start at designated hitter, while left-handers Sean Gilmartin and Washington's Gio González will oppose each other on the mound.
Red Sox: Second baseman Dustin Pedroia, the longest-tenured Boston player now that David Ortiz is retired, is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut in Saturday's 1:05 p.m. ET home game against the Twins. Tyler Thornburg, expected to be a key addition to the bullpen, makes his first appearance in a Red Sox uniform. Left-hander Roenis Elías will start. The Twins counter with veteran righty Phil Hughes.