New beginnings are on display in exhibition opener

PORT ST. LUCIE — New beginnings.

Jeff Wilpon was given the key to the city Saturday morning as the “new’’ improved Clover Park was opened by the Mets with a 5-3 loss to the Marlins on a windy but pleasant 69-degree day. Down in Jupiter, the splitsquad Mets lost 2-0 to the Cardinals, but this is the time of year when the scores don’t matter one bit.

Now the Mets will begin to work overtime on finding the keys to a quick start out of the NL East gate, and that is about doing all the little things right. Remember, this is a process. It is the general, day-to-day improvement that is most important. And the Mets and Luis Rojas, after his first game as manager, came away pleased. Rick Porcello got his Mets debut off to a good start with a 17-pitch, one-run first inning as he tries to find the command and artistry that once made him a Cy Young winner.

His first time out of the box with catcher Wilson Ramos was a success, as Ramos is perfecting his one-knee-down stance to help give the pitchers a low target, especially Porcello and his nasty sinker.

Ramos and Porcello were essentially the only two players available to the media because by the time the clubhouse doors were opened after the game, most of the Mets regulars were long gone, beating the traffic and the 6,435 fans who seemed extremely pleased with the $57 million worth of improvements to the complex.

The wider concourses and new left field Jim Beam Bar appear to be a complete success as fans streamed though the improved areas and took pictures along the walls that featured murals of past and present Mets.

My favorite was the one that had Keith Hernandez and Pete Alonso perched side by side at first base. It’s an uplifting ap

proach and gives fans a view of then and now.

Jeff McNeil was the leadoff hitter for the Mets and quickly slapped a single to left to show life in what was a magic bat last season as he makes the transition to full-time third baseman with Todd Frazier now in Texas.

It was also interesting to see Michael Conforto move quickly in right field on a day when it was hazardous to catch fly balls. Conforto looked completely at ease and appeared to be a bit more agile and faster.

The Mets did give up two stolen bases in the first inning as the Runnin’ Marlins busted out early, showing the kind of aggressive nature they will display. Ramos did throw out a runner attempting to steal as well.

“I have to do a better job with the running game,’’ Porcello acknowledged, saying it was a good lesson to learn about the National League after all those years in the AL. “As far as actually delivering the baseball and hitting the glove I felt really good for the first time out.’’

The Mets will have the strongest of rotations if Porcello continues to progress.

Ramos said the change to getting down on one knee to deliver a lower target is working well.

“I feel comfortable,’’ he said. “I feel like I’m resting a little bit more and that will help me to spend more time behind the plate, more games, so I’ll take that advantage. My pitchers want a low target and that helps me rest my knee a little bit more.’’

Ramos also lifted a two-run double to right in the first. That was an encouraging sign as he is trying to get more lift with his swing this season after beating the ball into the ground so much in the past.

“I am trying to keep the ball in the air and not hit too many ground balls,’’ Ramos said. “This spring during the live BP I hit the ball more in the air than on the ground so that’s a good thing.’’

Rojas managed his first major league game. Another new beginning.

“It was very exciting to watch the guys play,’’ Rojas said. “The guys grabbed some good at-bats that first inning and we played really good defense today. We turned three double plays.’’

Step 1 is done. Time to grind.