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Carlos Pena connects off shaky Dillon Gee for 4th HR, but Mets rally to beat Astros 7-5

By: The Associated Press

Posted: 03/20/2013 9:10 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 03/21/2013 12:39 AM

New York Mets catcher John Buck, left, watches as Houston Astros' Carlos Pena hits an RBI single in the second inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game, Wednesday, March 20, 2013, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Shaun Marcum gave the Mets another pitcher to worry about. Alex White could be the answer to the Astros' worries.

Marcum headed to New York for a cortisone shot in his right shoulder while the Mets were beating the Houston Astros 7-5 Wednesday.

Manager Terry Collins expects the right-hander to return for another spring training start early next week.

"He said he gets it every spring, pretty much," Collins said. "He just wanted to get it cleared up early so he can take a couple extra days now and he can go into his last start of the spring and extend himself a little bit."

Marcum, a winter free-agent singing, isn't the first Mets starter to have health issues this spring. Johan Santana hasn't pitched in a game as he builds strength in his throwing shoulder.

Also, Closer Frank Francisco has been sidelined because he is bothered by the same elbow inflammation that ended his 2012 season on Sept. 16 and Reliever Pedro Feliciano is dealing with a heart issue.

Matt den Dekker broke a tie with a two-run triple in the seventh inning and the Mets came back from a five-run deficit.

White was the starting pitcher on a day when the Astros reduced the competition for spots in their rotation by optioning Jordan Lyles and John Ely to Triple-A.

White, who is competing with veteran Erik Bedard, Brad Peacock and Edgar Gonzalez for two spots, gave up three runs in 4 1-3 innings. He left the game with a 5-3 lead.

"I feel real good about where I'm at," said White, a sinkerball pitcher acquired in a winter trade from Colorado. "I've still got to pitch, still got to get guys out. We've got a week and a half of competition left."

Bud Norris, Lucas Harrell and Philip Humber were named to pitch the Astros' first three regular-season games earlier Wednesday.

"Spring for me is always about getting ready," said White, who went 2-9 for the Rockies last season after starting the season in Triple-A. "This year is a little different because I knew I was competing for a spot, and I came in a lot fresher. I feel good and I feel like I'm ready for the season."

Peacock was scheduled to follow White on Wednesday night, but manager Bo Porter moved him back to Thursday after getting a report of threatening weather.

"You don't want to get a guy up to throw 10 or 15 pitches and then he's done, and this is a big outing for him," Porter said. "Tonight just wasn't the night to do it, not knowing what the weather was going to do."

Peacock will follow Harrell in Thursday's game against the Detroit Tigers.

Collin Cowgill's two-run home run off White started the Mets' comeback in the third inning.

Carlos Pena hit his fourth home run in the first inning for the Astros, who added three more runs on four singles off Mets starter Dillon Gee in the second.

Gee gave up five runs on seven hits in four innings, finishing his fourth start with three straight strikeouts.

Mets pitching coach" Dan (Warthen) got on him about making better pitches and he did a much better job in the last inning," Collins said.

NOTES: Jeremy Hefner will replace Marcum as the starting pitcher for Thursday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. ... Gonzalez, who has yet to start a game this spring, will pitch in an Astros minor league game Thursday.

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