Tebow homers in 1st at-bat for Mets in instructional debut

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) New York Mets prospect Tim Tebow homered on the first pitch he saw Wednesday in his instructional league debut against the St. Louis Cardinals club.

Tebow hit a high fastball in the bottom of the first inning over the left field fence off Cardinals prospect John Kilichowski, a left-hander who pitched for Vanderbilt University and two minor league affiliates for the Cardinals this year.

Tebow finished 1 for 6 at the plate. The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner also grounded into a double play, grounded out to short and flew out to center and left field.

He hit a slow roller to third base in his fifth at-bat in the fifth inning, nearly beating out the throw.

The Mets face the Miami Marlins instructional team on Thursday.