San-sational Performance, Mets win 3-2

courtesy of ESPN.com

Dodgers 2 8 0
METS 3 11 2



This is what i like to see from Johan Santana:

3.0IP

2H

1R

1ER

1BB

4SO

I'm guessing that this is what Met fans were expecting since his first outing against the Cards last Friday. 4 k's in three innings proves to me and others that he has gotten the butterflies out after being in a big media town like New York. Hey, I've said this before and ill say it again. Yeah, its only exhibition baseball, the place where a single A ballplayer could outshine the multimillionare all-star. But start gave us relief that he is going to be OK.

Reemember second base hopeful Anderson Hernandez? Well, he contributed by driving in a run in the ninth to win the game. I really thought this guy could be Reyes left hand man (he is to the left of him, right?) at one point, but just didn't have the batting ability. He has worked out his swing in the Dominican Republic league and could become a blue chipper.

Speaking of Blue Chippers, how bout that Fernando Martinez? This teenager is younger than me. He is really making me look bad. He went 2-3 with a double. People want this 19 year old up in the big leagues and rightfully so. There could be an opening since Alou just got hurt and if you remember the accident with church over the weekend. His maturity showed when he hit that double. The ball went to the wall, but instead of flashing off his speed by going for a triple like most rookies decide to do, he was humble and stayed at second to give the team a chance to score. He's giving me goosebumps already.

Perfect Pelfrey and Mets Beat rivals in Grapefruit League Action

Courtesy of ESPN.com

Braves 2 7 1
METS 3 7 1

Ladies and gentlemen thats three in a row. The Mets topped the Braves 3-2. Mike Pelfrey did an encore, dare I say much better, performance from the Tiger game (Check the earlier post). He has completed the most innings in a start with three and only gave up two hits. Big props to Pelfrey, last time I thought he dominated, this time he looks like he’s the ace of the staff. I’m paranoid that this could be as a result of short amount of innings. But I'm going to believe this amazing performance for now and wait when push comes to shove, we'll see what he's got.

The bullpen also did their thing with five strikeouts and a walk. Everybody is doing their part.

Offensively Jose Reyes, Ramon Castro and Reyes’ replacement later in the game, Ruben Tejada all got a RBI. Reyes is doing his thing and Castro has not lost a step. Tejada’s contribution isn’t going to make a major league impact anytime soon, but he did help win the game, which is a plus, especially one where we beat Atlanta Braves. Sounds so sweet. He doesn’t even have a profile yet.

I like the resilience the team has shown the last three days. Those three victories is making me feel confident about this season. As you can see, I’m counting down the days.

Just threw this in for fun.....

Oliver Fails in Start, Team Passes with victory 6-5

METS 6 10 0

Dodgers 5 12 0

Courtesy of ESPN.com

Oliver Perez was roughed up in the first. He gave up 3 runs in the first and didnt record any punch out in the two innings he pitched. That does not look good. We are three weeks away from the season and he had this abysmal start. Hopefully, he can act like the real fourth man in the rotation. He has a great year lets hope he lives up to that 6 million in arbitration.

When the score was 5-4 in the ninth, youngster Angel Pagan got a hit to drive in two. Pagan had three hits. So far, he's on fire with a 412 average. What a surprise. Right now, I think he is a candidate to be a fourth outfielder. His hitting abilty and speed reminds of me of Carlos Gomez, who we departed with in the trade with Santana.

Well this is the second victory for the mets in spring training. At least we are on a roll.

Mets win a game, but lose two players

pictures courtesy of DailyNews.com

Dodgers 0 2 0
Mets 1 4 0



(Simmons/news)

Judging by the start of the Saturday, I really freaked out. Before the game against the Dodgers, in which they won 1-0,( to end the game, the bases were loaded in the ninth and Brady Clark was hit by the pitch to force the winning run) I turned to ESPNews and saw that Carlos Delgado was flying back to New York to get an MRI on his hip. I Freaked! How can this be? so soon? what happens now to such a depth-less position?


To frustrate things more, during the game down in Florida, Ryan Church and first base replacement Marlon Anderson collided on a fly ball in right field. Eeek! Two more players down. What is this! At this point, I thought it was inevitable that we would start losing our starters, our relievers and eventually our hair!

Benc/Getty

At that point, there were 10 people dealing with injuries, including Big mouth Beltran (you remember what he said), Damion Easley, Endy Chavez, Luis Castillo, Orlando Hernandez, Brian Schneider and Jose Valentin (Why are you still trying old man?)

Sure enough, the diagnosis was made and it was found out that Delgado just needed to sit out a couple of days until he heals, he should be back sooner than later.

On the other hand, Anderson was banged up with a bruised sternum and Church is out with a concussion and is out until he can feel 100 percent. Who needs spring training away?.....except Church, who might get his job stolen by a certain 18 year old if he doesn't play.

Oh, did i forget to mention Torre as Dodger manager going against the Mets? I guess it doesn't mean much yet. There will be another time to talk about Joe Hollywood.
*****************

Starting this week I will debut a new feature called "What if? where I would pick a time in history or a possible future event and see what would be the effects on the METiverse.

Santana Stumped, Mets edged by Cards 5-4

Cardinals 5 9 2
METS 4 10 0


Short vid of start
Interview with Kevin Burkhardt

During the pregame, the announcers on SNY
were further hyping Santanamania as they explained that the whole team stopped what they
were doing just to see the man warm up. Amazing.








When it came to crunch time though, he gave up a three run homer to the 38 year old Juan Gonzalez. Yes people, you hear right, Juan Gone is with the Cardinals to see if he can fill that void. After listening to Matt Yallof of SNY saying that he is hit a pair of doubles and a pair of homers against him, i can see why he seemed hittable (video). On the other hand, he did strike out a batter in his first appearance in exhibition play. He lasted two innings.


Here are Santana's Stats (Newsday Article)
2.0 In 4 H 3 R 3 ER 0 BB 1 K 1 HR

32 Pitches
23 Strikes
9 Balls

What a spectacular play by rookie sensation Fernando Martinez! Way to make a statement by making a diving sliding catch into foul territory (video)

Ruben Gotay, someone I believe should be starting in ahead of the aging Luis Castillo, brought his thunder stick as he hit a homer in the ninth. Reyes, Wright and Alou brought in some more runs earlier in the game.

With this being the first televised game, the team didn't look so bad, except I'm really bothered that we have started 0-3. I know it doesn't mean anything but I would like a victory to gain some confidence.

photos courtesy of Yahoo AP

Later today, I will be posting about the Dodger/Met game that aired on Saturday.

Maine Gets Rocked as Mets Lose to Cards 7-0

Courtesy of AP

METS 0 4 1
Cardinals 7 11 1

A very rough spring start for John Maine. He gave up three runs in the second inning and the cardinals did not look back. This is definitely what I expected. Again, this is only a warm up compared to the real deal at the end of this month, but its scary to see a pitcher who held his own last year be that rusty. Ruddy Lugo and Joe Smith gave up two runs a piece.

On the offensive side, well not much here. The notable players to have the hits in the game are Fernando Martinez, Jose Reyes and Ryan Church. If it will satisfy those Marlon Anderson fans out there, he got a hit as well. Not much here as I'm guessing they were waiting for Johan Santana's spring debut the next afternoon.

For that game, I will not present the score, but what I heard from the commentators and my observations during the game as it will be televised on SNY.

Pelfrey neary Perfect in Spring Outing

picture courtesy of AP Yahoo


Mike Pelfrey is making a statement. The youngster pitched two innings on Wednesday against detroit and gave up only a hit. The kid is trying to fight for that last spot in the rotation. With his competitor out with health problems and is up there in old age, this is definitely the perfect time to take advantage.

Although he pitched wonderful, this is still spring trainning and the team lost 4-2. The two runs were driven in by Ramon Castro (aka bucket head lol j/k) and youngster Anderson Machado. The tigers answered with four runs in the seventh off Wille Collazo. This does not help his chances to make the club at all. Again, its spring training but you got to be able to bring your best stuff if you want to make the club.