PORT. ST. LUCIE, Fla — The big news wasn’t that Rick Porcello struck out Tim Tebow, it was that the Red Sox righthander took a one-hopper off the right thumb in the fourth inning and two batters later was out of the game.
Porcello, last year’s American League Cy Young Award winner, said afterward he was OK. He took a couple of warm-up pitches and then proceeded to give up a home run to Jay Bruce and a double to Lucas Dudain the Mets’ 8-7 win. Manager John Farrell then emerged from the dugout to Porcello out of the game.
“I was trying to get the sting out of it,’’ Porcello said. “I threw a second warm-up pitch and I was able to get it down in the zone, so I didn’t think it was going to affect me throwing pitches.’’
Porcello said there was no way of knowing whether the stinging he felt made it easier for the Mets to get two long back-to-back hits.
“I felt really good up until the fourth . . . the ball was coming out of my hand really well. There were a couple of mechanical things I’m still battling a little bit, but my four-seamer, two-seamer, slider, threw them all. The biggest thing today was I fell behind the hitters early on. Got to get back to strike one and take it from there.’’
Porcello said he didn’t spend too much time thinking about facing Tebow.
“I don’t know anything about him, so I do what I do against any guy I haven’s faced before and that is attack with my fastball until they show they can hit it,’’ Porcello said.
While growing up in New Jersey, Porcello said he wasn’t much of a college football fan, but more of “an NFL guy.’’
Porcello said he didn’t sense much of the electricity around the stadium surrounding Tebow.
“Even in some of the electric environments with 40,000 people in the stands I’m focused on what I’m doing on the mound and don’t pay too much attention to it,’’ Porcello said. “I obviously heard he was going to be playing, but I’m here to get my work in and go about my business.’’
Craig impressive
Allen Craig probably can’t make a case for sticking with the major league team because he’s not on the 40-man roster, there’s no room for him, and his $11 million salary would make the Sox susceptible to going over the luxury tax and paying an enormous fine. So, Craig is stuck. However, he went 2 for 3 with a double and home run against the Mets. “There’s crispiness and power and he’s swinging the bat well throughout camp,’’ Farrell said. Craig also drew a tough walk against fireballer Noah Syndergaard . . . Xander Bogaerts went 1 for 4 with a run scored as the Netherlands defeated Chinese Taipei, 6-5, in the World Baseball Classic. The victory guaranteed the Dutch a spot in the second round, which starts Saturday in Tokyo . . . Christian Vazquez is still struggling at the plate, hitting .167 after going 0 for 2.
Ready to go
In Fort Myers, Drew Pomeranz and Steven Wright each threw two innings to hitters at JetBlue Park. It was their final step before pitching in Grapefruit League games next week.
In what amounted to a simulated game, Pomeranz threw 35 pitches and Wright 37. They faced minor leaguers Matt McLean, Mike Olt, Carlos Quentin, and Cole Sturgeon.
Pomeranz (elbow) and Wright (shoulder) ended last season with injuries and were brought along slowly in spring training. With David Price likely to open the season on the disabled list, their progress became more important.
“It was good to have an up-and-down,’’ said Pomeranz. “I hadn’t done that yet. Most of the other guys have had one start. I’ll be able to catch up and get ready for the season.’’
Wright, who produced some awkward swings with his knuckleball, feels the same way. He is tentatively scheduled to pitch Monday.
“I felt no different from the first 20-25 [pitches] than the last 15 or 20,’’ Wright said. “I feel ready.’’
Wright said his shoulder is no longer a concern and he’s focused on preparing for the season.
Peter Abraham of the Globe staff contributed to this report from Fort Myers. Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickcafardo.
