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  Sunday, Mar. 5 2:05pm ET
New York 10, Los Angeles 7
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) _ Starters Al Leiter and Kevin Brown were sharp in their first outings of the spring, but several of their relievers were hit hard Sunday as the New York Mets beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-7.

Todd Zeile singled and hit a three-run homer against his former team, and Charlie Hayes added a two-run shot for the Mets, who scored all their runs in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

The Dodgers have allowed 11 homers and been outscored 23-12 in their three games, but manager Davey Johnson said he likes what he's seen.

``I'm not scared in the least,'' he said with a smile. ``I realize we haven't won, but that's the least of my worries. By and large, I'm seeing some good signs.''

Adrian Beltre hit a two-run homer and Eric Karros had a two-run double for the Dodgers, who scored all their runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth.

Leiter and Brown each pitched three scoreless innings. Leiter earned the victory when Zeile homered with two outs and two on off loser Eric Gagne in the fourth.

Gagne, a rookie batting for a berth in the Dodgers' starting rotation, allowed six hits and seven runs in 1 2-3 innings.

``It felt fine out there, it's nice to get started,'' Leiter said. ``My big thing this spring is to work the outer part of the plate, work my tailing fastball, work my changeup. I threw a lot of changeups, good sinking fastballs.''

Brown also said he felt good for the first time out.

``It's just a matter of getting back in the swing of things, building up your stamina,'' he said.

When asked if he was on a pitch count, Brown replied, ``I have no idea. I'm just going out there throwing until they tell me they're done with me. I'm not counting the pitches myself.''

Mets left-hander Bill Pulsipher, who collapsed in his bathroom Feb. 23 and was treated in Port St. Lucie, where the Mets train, pitched for the first time in an exhibition game and allowed three hits and two runs in one inning.

``I felt good, I felt real good,'' he said. ``I had great stuff. I felt like I threw some good pitches, but obviously fell behind some batters, and that hurt.''

Pulsipher said he doesn't feel very far behind.

``I've thrown three batting practices, two before (the incident) and one after,'' he said. ``I feel great, I'm looking forward to getting back on the mound Wednesday.''

When asked if he thought at all about the episode, Pulsipher replied, ``I'm just thinking about throwing quality pitches, one after another, and making the squad.''

Country singer Garth Brooks, a non-roster invitee with the Mets this spring, was scratched from the game because of a bruised left foot.

Brooks was scheduled to make the 21-mile trip from Port St. Lucie to Holman Stadium, but didn't because of soreness in his foot. The Mets listed him as day-to-day.

 


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