FORT LAUDERDALE — Some tidbits after Luis Castillo and Ryan Church combined for four hits and seven RBIs in the Mets’ 9-3 win here over the Orioles in the Grapefruit League opener for both teams: * Jerry Manuel‘s introduction of an intense, 80-pitch hitting drill this spring to emphasize going the other way didn’t need long to produce results — the Mets drove in four runs on opposite-field hits as part of a 15-hit eruption overall. “I think for us as a staff, when we put something in, and it manifests itself so quickly, it gives the players confidence that we know what we’re talking about,” Manuel said.
* First baseman Nick Evans went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, but Manuel appeared most excited by an Evans groundout to second in the fifth inning that allowed Alex Cora to move over to third. That was one of those “little” plays Manuel has preached endlessly this spring. “That’s how we have to play,” Manuel said.
* Nice day for newly installed starting left fielder Daniel Murphy: He went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. He also had an outfield assist (who says he can’t play defense?).
* Reliever Duaner Sanchez, who is in a fight to avoid the Mets releasing him next month in a salary-saving move, didn’t exactly help himself. Sanchez walked two and gave up a hit and an earned run in just one inning of work.
* Fernando Tatis was held out for a third consecutive day with a swollen right hand, but Manuel said the Mets hope Tatis is healthy enough to play Friday against the Italy’s WBC representative or the Cardinals in Port St. Lucie.
* J.J. Putz‘s wife gave birth to his third child, a son, in Peoria, Ariz., today. Putz, who was excused from camp to attend the delivery, is expected back in time to pitch against the Italian national team Friday before leaving next week for the WBC.
* The Mets face the Marlins in Port St. Lucie tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. That game is being broadcast by SNY.
More in tomorrow’s print edition of The Post …