PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets’ right-hander Clay Holmes was perfect in his first start since making the transition from a (Yankees) closer.

Against the Houston Astros at Clover Park, Holmes pitched three innings. He didn’t allow a baserunner and struck out three batters, throwing 35 pitches (26 strikes).

“This is the most excited I’ve been to pitch. It’s definitely been up there,” Holmes said. “New team, first start, kind of in a real game, in a while. … Just refelcting on that and just realizing where I’m at and the opportunity that I have and who I’m doing it with, it was an exciting day.”

Holmes sat in the Mets dugout for a little while before he had to go up to the mound to start the first inning. He wanted to absorb the energy from the players around him.

It only took Holmes nine pitches to work out of the first inning. In the second inning, he recorded his first strikeout against catcher César Salazar, who challenged the ninth pitch of his at-bat, a 97 mph sinker that kissed the inside corner — the call was upheld.

Holmes debuted his new pitch, a change-up, in-game for the first time and was pleased with what he saw.

“I threw it right-on-right (to) Zack Short (who) got a swing and miss there, got the fly ball out to left in the first inning,” Holmes said. “It was nice to get that in and just see how it’s playing.”

In all, Holmes threw the change-up seven times, generating five swings, according to Baseball Savant. The pitch averaged 88 mph, a good change of speed from his sinker (95 mph) and four-seamer (96.6 mph).

Holmes finished his day by heading back to the bullpen and throwing another 15 pitches.