NEW YORK (AP) – Citi Field was nearly empty when New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel popped out of the dugout and strolled toward the first-base line.

A light mist was falling on the white tarp covering the infield, yet Manuel stood in one spot and soaked in the new place as it glistened in the rain. All those dark green seats hugging the warning track, the crooked angles of the outfield fence.

“Oh, it’s beautiful,” Manuel said with a wide grin.

About 90 minutes later, the Mets opened their $800 million ballpark with an exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox. Carlos Beltran hit an RBI single, new closer Francisco Rodriguez earned a save and New York rewarded its soggy fans with a rain-delayed 4-3 victory Friday night.

An enthusiastic crowd of 37,652, almost certainly diminished by the weather, turned out for the Mets’ first game since moving out of dingy Shea Stadium, their home from 1964-2008.

“I think this is good for us mentally, too. You get a clean slate,” third baseman David Wright said.

New York also made a splash away from the field, agreeing to a contract with 40-year-old slugger Gary Sheffield three days after he was released by Detroit. The outspoken Sheffield is expected in New York on Saturday and the deal is contingent on him passing a physical, general manager Omar Minaya said.

Play was halted by rain for 67 minutes in the sixth inning, sending most of the crowd home.

When the game resumed, every regular had been pulled.

But that didn’t spoil the party. Fans filed in through the grand Jackie Robinson Rotunda and wandered throughout the cozy ballpark, checking out the various eateries, spacious concourses and roomy seats.

Citi Field was designed to be an intimate venue that invokes the warmth of Ebbets Field, beloved home of the Brooklyn Dodgers until 1957.

“As good as advertised and better. Everybody knew they wanted a pitcher-friendly ballpark,” Wright said. “Who knows? I think the bigger the field plays, the more it is to our advantage.”

The new place seats 42,000, down from about 57,000 at big Shea.

No. 5 starter Livan Hernandez was sharp, yielding only a bloop double and two walks in three scoreless innings. He struck out three.

“Mound was very comfortable,” Hernandez said.

All in all, not a bad test run. The Mets begin the season with a six-game road trip before returning to Citi Field for their home opener April 13 against San Diego.

“It looks gorgeous,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “I think it’s stating the obvious, when it’s a level above Shea.”

Red Sox starter Jon Lester struggled with his command, walking five in four innings. He allowed one run and three hits, throwing 83 pitches.

“I really couldn’t tell what was going on. I didn’t have a feel for my arm, my pitches,” Lester said. “I’m not worried. Tonight was just one of those deals you have to shake off and move on.”

Notes: Red Sox 1B Kevin Youkilis was scratched from the lineup because he wasn’t feeling well. Chris Carter started in his place. … Francona said RHP Brad Penny is slated to go back to Florida to pitch in a camp game Tuesday as a tuneup for his first scheduled regular-season start next weekend at the Los Angeles Angels. … Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima struck out all three batters in the seventh. … The teams play again here Saturday. Tickets for both exhibitions ranged from $6 to $50, a deep discount from regular-season seats that top out at $695.

Copy the Story Link