PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) _ Hideo Nomo didn't look anything like the pitcher the New York Mets released last spring.

Nomo pitched five strong innings and struck out five against his former team, allowing only an unearned run as the Detroit Tigers beat the Mets 2-1 Friday.

Rick Reed matched that with an 83-pitch, six-inning stint, allowing one run, six hits and striking out three. Reed, who didn't walk anyone, threw 62 pitches for strikes.

``I feel like I'm ready now,'' said Reed, who will pitch the second game of the season-opening series in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs. ``I felt like I could have continued pitching.''

Mets manager Bobby Valentine said Reed's performance is the type of effort the team needs as spring training winds down.

``He had good stuff, good location, the whole package, and I like that,'' Valentine said.

The Mets, who will start Mike Hampton in the season opener, pretty much went with what will be their starting eight position players.

New York's lineup had Rickey Henderson leading off and playing left field, followed by second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, catcher Mike Piazza, designated hitter, Robin Ventura, first baseman Todd Zeile, right fielder Derek Bell, center fielder Darryl Hamilton, shortstop Rey Ordonez and third baseman Matt Franco.

``I want to look at it,'' Valentine said. ``It looked pretty good.''

Valentine indicated the only switches on opening day would be Ventura playing at third and Ventura batting in Franco's place.

``I like the speed at the bottom of the lineup at six, seven and eight,'' Valentine said, ``but it's one little look at nine guys.''

Henderson doubled leading off, advanced on Brad Ausmus' passed ball and scored on Piazza's sacrifice fly.

Karim Garcia double in the fourth and scored on Gabe Alvarez's single, and Tilson Brito homered in the seventh off Jim Mann.

Play was halted in the bottom of the eighth inning for about 10 minutes after New York's Kurt Abbott took Detroit second baseman Marty Malloy out at second base on a potential double play. Malloy sustained a knee injury and was taken off the field in a golf cart.

Garth Brooks entered in the fifth as a defensive replacement in left and went 0-for-2, popping out to second and flying to right. Brooks, 0-for-15 this spring, handled once chance cleanly on a base hit.

Notes: Mets SS Rey Ordonez was booed when he called off Brooks to catch a short fly ball. ... The Mets signed OF Timoniel Perez to a minor league contract. Perez, a native of the Dominican Republic, played in Japan's Central League the last four years with Hiroshima and will be assigned to Double-A or Triple-A.