Johnson raises potential, slams Mets past Cards

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Mark Johnson raised his profile with a home run, double and three RBIs Wednesday as the Mets beat the Cardinals 10-7.

Earlier in the day, the Mets placed outfielder Mark Sweeney on unconditional release waivers, boosting Johnson's chances of winning a backup job.

"I knew I had to come in and play well, and I definitely came prepared," Johnson said. "I was hoping I actually did enough last year to be assured of a spot, but it didn't work out that way.

"Today was a good day, but I think for the past week I've had some pretty good days. I think the first week you're kind of searching for your timing and then hopefully things come together."

Johnson homered in the second off Josh Pearce, a drive that went over the right-field wall and landed on the access road, about 400 feet from the plate.

"That was his best swing of spring," Mets hitting coach Dave Engle said.

An inning later, Johnson hit a two-run double over Jim Edmonds, a ball that landed at the base of the center-field wall.

"You know you have to perform, but on the other side of it, if you try to go up there and hit a home run every time, things seem to go the opposite way," Johnson said. "You have to believe in yourself that you've done the things you needed to do and kind of let things happen up there."

Johnson hit .407 as a pinch-hitter last season, the highest in the major league for a player with more than 20 plate appearances.

"The way Mark played last year for us, if anyone deserved to be where he was going to be a part of our team, I thought it was Mark," manager Bobby Valentine said.

Johnson expected good things to happen this spring due to his hard work during the offseason.

"I had other opportunities to go elsewhere, but we live in New York, so unless there was an opportunity to go somewhere else and play every day this is the place I want to be," Johnson said. "I enjoy the guys on this team, the organization's first-class and there aren't any drawbacks to play in New York."

Meanwhile, right-hander Steve Trachsel gave up four runs in the fifth inning, including J.D. Drew's two-run homer off the scoreboard in center field, which tied the game 5-all.

John Valentin hit a two-run homer in the seventh, and Jorge Toca and Edgardo Alfonzo hit solo homers.

Noteworthy

The Mets honored Joe McShane and George McClelland during a pregame ceremony, placing a plaque on the right-field wall. The longtime Mets employees died within days of each other in November. The St. Lucie Mets of the Florida State League will wear a patch this season honoring them.

Mets OF Mark Sweeney was placed on unconditional release waivers and nonroster INF Danny Peoples was released.

New York LHP Al Leiter is scheduled to pitch against the Braves on Sunday. He is recovering form a pulled hip flexor muscle.

New York RHP Jeff D'Amico threw in a bullpen and Valentine said he will pitch Friday. D'Amico is recovering from a strained right wrist.