Clay Holmes pitches three perfect innings in Mets’ debut as starter

PORT ST. LUCIE — The newness of Clay Holmes’ situation extended beyond pitching for the Mets for the first time Saturday.

For the first time since 2019 with the Pirates, he was a starting pitcher.

Holmes’ Mets debut was a success on all counts, starting with the fact the Astros didn’t touch him for three innings.

Over those three perfect frames, Holmes struck out three and needed only 34 pitches in the Mets’ 6-2 exhibition win over the Astros. He later went to the bullpen and threw another 15 to complete his afternoon of work.

“A new team, the first start in a real game in a while, I was just reflecting on that and realizing the opportunity that I have and who I am doing it with,” Holmes said. “It was an exciting day and it was special. I definitely felt it coming to the park today.”

Holmes, who arrived on a three-year contract worth $38 million following a successful stint as a reliever with the Yankees, has worked on incorporating a changeup into his arsenal.

He threw the pitch seven times.

“I think it’s going to be a weapon to lefties, but I think really it’s going to help me protect my sinker,” Holmes said. “There will be more of a speed gap between my sinker and changeup that are going down and away to a lefty and maybe open up more room for a cutter or four-seam. Really just expand the arsenal and just have a few different looks where they are not the same speed, the same movement.”

Mostly, he was efficient.

“I was just feeling the energy, feeling the adrenaline — putting the uniform on with a lot of guys, it felt good,” Holmes said. “It’s nice to get some ground balls and let the defense work.”

The attendance of 7,394 was the Mets’ second-largest for an opener in Port St. Lucie.

Ty Adcock is scheduled to face the Nationals in Port St. Lucie on Sunday.

A Mets split-squad will travel to Jupiter, Fla., with Max Kranick on the mound against the Marlins.