Mets rally from 8-run deficit

Ramon Castro's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning completed a comeback from an eight-run deficit, and the Mets beat the Baltimore Orioles 9-8 Thursday.

The Mets won seven of their last eight games in the Grapefruit League. They play for the first time at their new Citi Field on Friday night when Boston visits for an exhibition.

"You're happy anytime you're in competition and you come back from an 8-0 deficit," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. "Guys continued swinging the bat. That was good for us."

Both starting pitchers struggled.

Mike Pelfrey of the Mets gave up eight runs on 10 hits and one walk in four innings.

"The only good thing that came out of today is I feel good, I was able to get my pitch count up and I'm going to wake up on Sunday and Monday and will not have given up any hits or any runs," Pelfrey said.

Eaton, who arrived in camp on March 4, allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks in five innings. He threw 94 pitches and said his arm strength is where it needs to be heading into the season.

"It went pretty well," said Eaton, who gave up nine runs on 17 hits and five walks in his previous two starts. "Between this start and last start, I started working on some stuff and I can definitely see the benefits of it, being a little more consistent, directionally keeping everything toward the plate."

Eaton said the Orioles haven't told him whether he is in the starting rotation, but signs point in that direction. The roster still stands at 29, but final decisions are forthcoming.

"I wish I would have made the decision a little easier for them, but I know if the decision is made that I am on the staff, they will be pleased with what they get," he said.

Luke Scott homered in the fourth inning as the Orioles took an 8-0 lead.

Fernando Tatis hit a two-run double in the fourth and Jose Reyes followed with a triple.

Castro hit a two-run homer in the seventh that made it 8-7. Alex Cora and Castro drove in runs in the ninth.