Capuano looks OK despite allowing two HRs

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- It took a full inning for Oliver Perez to eventually right himself in the Mets' 5-4 loss to the Astros Tuesday, and back at Digital Domain Stadium, Chris Capuano got a little dinged up, as well, by the Nationals in the other split-squad game.

Capuano, who is penciled in as the No. 5 starter, served up home runs to Mike Morse and Jerry Hairston Jr. in the Mets' 4-3 loss. But those were the only two runs given up by Capuano, who allowed five hits in four innings. He walked two and struck out one.

Matched up on the same days as Perez, Capuano mostly has been under the radar. He followed Perez on Thursday, but at least got to pitch at home Tuesday when manager Terry Collins took the two-hour bus ride to evaluate Perez.

Extra bases

Jason Isringhausen, making his first back-to-back appearances of the spring, allowed a home run to Brian Bixler during his one inning against Washington. How he feels Wednesday could help determine his fate with the Mets . . . Daniel Murphy went 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles splitting time between first and second base against the Nationals. In an otherwise stagnant competition at second, an offensive surge by Murphy -- with adequate defense -- could put him over the top eventually . . . In Kissimmee, second baseman Brad Emaus went 1-for-3 but looked bad letting a grounder scoot under his glove as he ranged to his left. Emaus barely bent over on the attempt and was charged with an error.