Just as we thought, the kids behaved themselves tonight, with both pitchers preferring to craft rather than go head hunting.
Both teams were warned to not throw at the other’s hitters, and Pedro Martinez and Tony Armas responded with a classic pitcher’s duel, with the Mets winning 3-1.
Good stuff, especially the way Martinez pitched out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the sixth. His toe might be a question this year, but not his heart.
Martinez got out of the inning by striking out Jose Vidro, who had homered in the fourth, and getting Jose Guillen, who threatened him last week at Shea, on an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play.
“I had to get Vidro or I could have gotten into more trouble,’’ Martinez said. “I gave everything thing I had and it went well. (On the inside sinker to get Guillen) I figured one ground ball is what I needed and I got that.’’
Not only did Martinez make the perfect pitch, but Jose Reyes charged the ball and Anderson Hernandez stood in against the sliding runner to make the relay to first.
It was a big-league play all around, and if Hernandez continues to make plays like that, he should stay in the lineup if he’s even moderately over .200.
“That was the game right there,’’ said assistant general manager Tony Bernazard, a second baseman in his playing days.
Around the Horn: Kaz Matsui went 0-for-3 with a walk today playing in an extended spring game. General manager Omar Minaya said Matsui might play in another game, and then play for Class A Port St. Lucie. … Manager Willie Randolph plans on giving Paul Lo Duca a rest today and starting Ramon Castro behind the plate. Chris Woodward could also get a start at second base.