Rook has to cover his bases

JUPITER, Fla. — Blade Tidwell’s first exposure to MLB competition in a game setting was eventful, and that was even before he forgot to cover first base.

The Mets’ pitching prospect had already thrown a wild pitch on strike three to start the third inning Friday and allowed a bunt single and bloop to left field. Dylan Carlson delivered an RBI single before confusion reigned.

Tidwell threw a fastball that ticked the knob of Paul Goldschmidt’s bat and rolled toward the first-base hole. Goldschmidt remained at home plate as Pete Alonso fielded the grounder. Also inactive was Tidwell, who remained near the mound instead of covering the base. Alonso, with the ball in his glove and Goldschmidt now running, began gesturing to Tidwell, who eventually got to the bag to receive the throw, recording the out.

“I thought [Alonso] might have already been at first base, I felt like it might have been 10 or 12 seconds,” Tidwell said on a day the Mets lost 3-2 to the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. “But I’m guessing it wasn’t that long — it was just an awkward play. [Goldschmidt] hit it off the literal knob of his bat and then I got snapped back into it real quick when Alonso yelled, ‘Get to first.’ ”

Tidwell struck out the next two batters to leave runners on second and third. He was credited with three strikeouts in the inning.

The 22-year-old Tidwell, a second-round pick in the 2022 draft, is regarded among the organization’s top pitching prospects. He advanced last season to Double-A Binghamton.

➤ Christian Scott and Mike Vasil, both of whom are in major league camp, are among the scheduled pitchers for the Mets in their Saturday exhibition game against the Marlins. Scott emerged last season as the organization’s top pitching prospect, but Vasil might be the closest to the big leagues after reaching Triple-A Syracuse last year.