Mets Win Annual Civil Rights Game

The Mets and the White sox played in the second annual Civil Rights game on Saturday, in which they won 3-2 to end the preseason. The game was played in Memphis, Tennessee again. In attendance was Martin Luther King III, who threw out the first pitch.

John Maine dominated once again as he went four strong innings, only giving up 3 hits and striking out five. His counterpart, Jose Contreras almost went six but the Amazin’s spoiled his chances as Carlos Beltran launched a two run homer to go up two-zip in the fourth.

This was an excellent way to end spring training. Something memorable and historic as this game. It is only the second of its kind. Last year, the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals had the privilege to play in the environment. The cool thing about it is that it presented the opportunity for the Mets and White Sox to show off a throwback look.

Well, this is the last of the 2008 spring training games. Next up is the regular season, which should be one heck of a ride.

Pictures courtesy of ESPN.com and Daily News

The Florida Experience Part 1

METS 3 5 0
Orioles 4 10 1

Lets talk about something more interesting than this insignificant game.....


I was going to mention this earlier about a couple of friends M and A (to protect identities lol) who were lucky enough to travel down to Florida for opening day. They arrived at the airport on Friday and they called me during class, about 10-11 in the morning. (I was expecting a call but not this early)

Anyway, in her first day alone, she went to a Met and a Yankee game. (We really dont need to mention those guys from the Bx.) She took a couple of cell phone pics from the Oriand sent them to me. I apologize they are small but I’ll describe what is the significance of each.

Here we have my friend M’s jersey. This is his one of a kind custom made jersey with his birth number in the back and his last name to top it off. He has got it signed my many players from past and present. This spring, he was lucky enough to get Pedro’s autograph. A, his girlfriend and one of my best friends chatted with the righty, saying that they should trade autographs. Martinez obliged and signed M’s jersey while he got an autograph from A later on in the game. What are the odds of this happening?

She sent me a picture message in the evening, displaying a signed ball by Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez. I really don't know how they come up with this type of stuff. I know they can get easy access to these types of things because I went to a game with them last year and ended up getting a BP ball. I hope to find out their secret one day.

Ill have more on A’s trip and her boyfriend on what happened opening night.

Question Marks Surround Fifth Spot in Rotation

Cardinals 14 21 0

METS 4 9 3

After yet another loss to the St. Louis Immortals…I mean Cardinals., the 5th spot of the rotation is still up for grabs. Orlando Hernandez, with new stance and all, pitched atrociously giving up five runs in three innings pitched. He struck out one. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt here since he has been out with the bunion for quite some time. I believe, even at his age, his new delivery will be perfected.

You would think that once Mike Pelfrey came into the game in the fifth, that it would be time to show who the right guy for the job is. That didn’t happen as he gave up a total of eight runs in 4.1 innings.

Pictures Courtesy of ESPN.com

Mets rained out after 7, Lose to Indians 5-2

METS 2 7 0
Indians 5 9 1

Final - 7 Innings

The rain showed no mercy in this game. The Mets were down 5-2 in the seventh when the game was cancelled. No use in playing because there isn’t any implications of this game. Still, if a team is down and a rainout happens, there is always that question in the players, coaches, even the fans’ mind, what if?

Oliver Perez showed his downside in this game, giving up a total of four homeruns against last year’s AL Central champions, finishing his day with 5 earned runs given up. He still had 6 K’s on the day, but still…. Talk about a mess! Perez has to figure out who is before the season starts. The last thing this organization needs is to try to find a replacement at this hour.

Carlos Beltran followed in the footsteps of David Wright and Carlos Delgado days and hit his first homer of exhibition play, who hit theirs one after the other on separate. With the string of homers by these everyday players, they are showing that they are ready to play for real now.

Photos Courtesy of ESPN.com

Pedro & Mets Teach Nats a Lesson, Win 8-2

Nationals 2 8 2

METS 8 16 0

Pedro Martinez displayed brilliance over five innings. Although he gave up two runs, including a Home Run by Austin Kearns, he did strike out four. Martinez looks sharp and ready to pitch come this season.

David Wright finally hit his first of the spring, sending a two-run blast into the seats. He finished the day with three hits. Wright is also starting to get his groove on. Playing these spring games really helped get rid of that winter rust.

SNY.tv - David Wright HR

Picture Courtesy of ESPN.com

Santana Shows Confidence, Mets Shutout Orioles 7-0

Orioles 0 6 0
METS 7 10 0

Johan Santana was trying to bounce back from a very miserable start against the Cardinals. He blanked the Baltimore Orioles going six innings, striking out seven in the process. He lowered his ERA to a much slimmer 3.15.

He did some damage at the plate as well as he hit a double. His first hit of the spring. The Mets are not paying him to hit, but I’m sure he doesn’t mind helping out his own cause and boosting his confidence. Jose Reyes scored in the first inning. The Mets erupted in the eighth with five runs, with contributions from Fernando Tatis and Gustavo Molina. They each hit two-run doubles.

Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com

And Now Time for the Maine Attraction…

Indians 1 9 2

METS 3 8 0

If there were awards for preseason success, John Maine would be the top candidate to receive it. They beat the Indians 3-1. This is the fourth win of the week for the Mets. Maine pitched into the sixth inning, giving up only one run and fanning seven in the process. He has been developing a new changeup that has seemed to have hypnotized hitters.

As for the bullpen, they helped out by each recording a strike out in their appearance (Smith, Heilman, Schoeneweis, Wagner).

At the plate, The backup to the backup catcher Raul Casanova had two hits with a run driven in. The 35 year old was filling in for Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro who are dealing with injuries. Fernando Martinez is making sure Met fans are paying attention. He also drove one in.

Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com

Perez Pitches His Way To Victory

METS 7 11 2

Nationals 3 6 3

SORRY NO PHOTO :(

If Oliver Perez were taking a pitching exam, he would have passed with flying colors. Through five innings against the Washington Nationals, he struck out five and gave up a run and two hits. Good timing on this performance, just two weeks before the season starts, he decided to step his game up.

The Mets were up on the Nats 1-0 until they broke opened up the game in the fifth inning where David Wright brought two home on a single. The mets scored two more in the seventh to get the job done.

Mets Pick up a Pair in Split Squad Action

METS 6 8 0

Astros 4 8 0

The Metropolitans have met up with the Astros for the second straight Sunday and the result is the same as they win 6-4. Nelson Figueroa Didn’t seem to have control as he walked three and gave up a homer to Lance Berkman. But that was the only run given up.

Other young bloods fulfilled their end at the plate. The Boy Wonder Fernando Martinez had two rbi’s as did no name Victor Mendez, who went 3 for 4.

Tigers 4 14 0

METS 7 14 0

The rest of the team got the victory over the Tigers at home. They had their major league guns out in the field. Pedro Martinez did what he does best and that’s shutdown the offense of the opposing team. He struck out four, without giving up any earned runs.

Jose Reyes went 1 for 3 with an RBI triple. I bet this is what Willie is looking forward to with the season coming up shortly.

Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com

St. Louis owns the Mets in spring training

Cardinals 10 13 1
METS 3 4 3

Yet another loss to the dreaded Cardinals. They have dominated the Mets all spring, outscoring them 42-16. They clobbered Johan Santana for four runs in five innings. On the bright side, he did strike out five batters. Even Cards’ starter Adam Wainwright got into the swing of things as well getting a hit off him, helping out his own cause. Definitely not something you want to see two weeks before the season starts.

The bullpen wasn’t much help as Ricardo Rincon gave up four runs, four hits and only recorded one out.

Offensive Notes: Carlos Delgado hit one out of the park. Finally a plus on Delgado’s end, who is hitting .143 in the spring. It was his first of the spring. One can guess his hip is still bothering him.

Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com

Bottom Rotation of Mets have mixed results

I apologize for the delay. I bet you've noticed no posts going up for about a week. So I'm going to do a little recap of what has happened since my last outing on this blog:

Orioles 2 6 1
METS 6 7 0



Oliver Perez, my main man! looking sharp out there! The pitcher from the south of the border had a extended spring outing as they let him pitch four innings giving up one run and getting a K to fill out that spring stat sheet a bit. The run came in the first as Orioles Leftfielder Jay Gibbons doubled in a run. Perez would not give up a hit until the final inning of his start. To sum up in one word: Impressive!

At the plate, Angel Pagan sat up from the bench and probably said to himself "I think I should help the team by doing something productive." Well, he sure did as he hit a two run homer in the 7th to help put away the O's.

METS 5 13 2
Cardinals 6 15 0

This is sad. The Mets have not won a game against the Cards in exhibition play. But who is really the true winner here? Mike Pelfrey out performed his opponent on the mound Braden Looper as he only gave up six hits in 4.2 innings of work. Pelfrey also gave up a run and struck out one. Good outing. I really see him being in that fifth spot right now. If he can only perform like this when push comes to shove.

Endy! Endy! Endy! is what we Met fans are waiting to hear at Shea. Chavez gave a little preview of what he can do on the field hitting a two run double and two singles to go 3 for 4 on the day. JO-se, Jose, Jose, Jose, JO-se, JO-se! Another chant waiting to be said. Reyes hit two singles and scored twice in this game.

METS 8 13 1
Marlins 2 8 2



What it means to be Maine! John Maine dominated the first five innings as they roll past the fish 8-2. He struck out a half-dozen batters and only walked one. With this performance, he looks like the ace of his staff. It shows the depth of the rotation when the third starter pitches lights out.

At this point, the Mets can use any help at catcher. With Brian Schneider out with that hammy injury, Robinson Cancel is forced to step up during this pre-season. He has delivered. Cancel went 3 for 4 with a pair of RBI's. Could he be the long term solution as a backstop? who knows?

Pictures Courtesy of ESPN.com

Pagan Continues his Hitting ways, Mets Fall 4-3

METS 3 7 0
Boston 4 9 1



In a day where the backups were out on the field, The Puerto Rican wonder Angel Pagan hit a triple to knock in two runs for the Mets, but were denied a victory by the Bo-Sox twice in one week (1-1 tie on Monday). Pagan has to make the team at this point as he is still batting .415 for the pre-season, setting the tone for what could possibly his breakout year.



On the mound, no-name pitcher Nelson Figueroa got roughed up a bit. In three innings, he gave up four runs and had only one K. I'm going to be logical and say that there's nothing special here. I remember one day he came in relief earlier in the spring and Pedro was his unofficial pitching coach during the game. Although he has a 3.86 ERA, this guy still needs to sharpen up his tools before he offiicially plays with the big boys.

Pictures Courtesy of ESPN.com

Santana Shines Again

Boston 1 5 0
METS 1 5 2
10 Innings

Well nothing new here, just the same old same old. Mets tie up with the world champion Red Sox in spring training action, give it up for them.

Johan Santana pitched a gem through four innings giving up a run and fanning four batters. He has already convinced me that he is ready and it can give a Met fan get goosebumps. This guy is earning every penny of that 150 million dollar deal.

I hate to say it but the Mets got lucky on Monday. A ground out from Reyes scored Pagan to tie up the game. There was no real offense until that 7th inning sacrifice. It could be that their a bit fatigued as they have played 19 of the last 20 days. Even though they have so many players at Port St. Lucie, they are training for the start of the season....

Yet again, i could be fooling myself as Jon Lester, struck out five from Flushing. Good sign for them, bad for the Mets.

Oh well, at least they gave the Sox a run for the money.

PICTURES COURTESY OF ESPN.COM

Maine Shuts down 'stros

Astros 0 3 1
METS 3 7 0




John Maine did his thing on the mound has he held the Houston Astros to no hits and three strikeouts over four innings. An impressive outing for the third man in the rotation. Here's hoping this is a sneak preview of the season. This is kinda ironic since I didn't see what he accomplished until after I wrote about the No-hitter possibility. Who knows? maybe it will be Maine. Heck at least they get their first.



The Lumber was handled by Jose Reyes who hit a liner to right center field that just cleared the fence. That was all that was needed, really. Reyes does flash some power from time to time, but i don't think he's going to repeat the 17 home runs from the 2006 season. He's going to be more of a base stealing threat if anything.

Andersen Hernandez also had a stand-out performance by driving in a run and stealing a base. I think it's not likely since Damion Easley, Jose Valentin and Ruben Gotay are all fighting for the same position he has. He would be a great defensive addition to any team and with his improving bat, he could be a lead off caliber batter.

Pics credited to ESPN.com and AP

WHAT IF: Johan Santana Pitches a No-Hitter

OK, so if you don't know lets brush up on a little history lesson, shall we?

The New York Mets are the oldest team to never have a no-hitter. We are are joined by a cast of other expansion teams including the Tampa Bay Rays, Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres..... Ahhh! (Link)

It gets even more frustrating for those fans out there and albeit even the owners. Two of the former pitchers to pitch for the orange and blue pitched in pinstripes to record their no-no..David Cone and Dwight Gooden.

The most notable ex-Met to throw a no-hitter list includes Nolan Ryan who pitched seven...SEVEN over his career AND HE WAS A MET! (Link) And we can't forget about Tom Seaver. (This is just frustraiting just writing about it.)

Now my question...is Johan Santana the chosen one? Does he have the ability to throw the first no hitter of the franchise?

First off, I believe he was brought here to dominate the league and eventually lead the Mets to their first world series win since 86'. I do not think he was brought here for the no-hitter. But does he have the numbers to prove that he can put doughnuts on the board?

Lets look at his stamina, the amount of complete games he has pitched. He has had at least one the last four years.

The next step, he's gotta dominate enough to shut them out. He's had four of them over his career and one from last year so he's on a steady pace...so far.

The WHIP or Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched can play a role as well. In case you dont know, the WHIP combines both base on balls and hits against the pitcher to give a picture of how batter fair against him. According to Docsports.com, a WHIP of 1.00 or below is exceptional . Guess who has been hovering around that line in the last four years as a twin? yes, indeed! Last year, Santana's WHIP was 1.07, which was slightly higher than the perfect one he pitched the year before that.

In conclusion, I will predict that the ace of the staff will indeed pitch a no-hitter before his contract is up. The fact that he is pitching against 8 hitters and a pitcher just improves his chances. Other factors such as defense and umpire calls will have to play out itself.

Met fans and Santana fans alike, we could be witnessing history as Number 57 takes the mound in the very near future.

Here's a little hope for those still dreaming out there. (Warning: video game footage, not real in any shape or form)

Pictures and video credited to:

Art.com

ESPN.com

MLB.com

Youtube.com : antdogs82

Mets Beat Indians with Subs

METS 8 12 1
Indians 6 12 2

If you know who are Olmedo Saenz and Robinson Cancel, you should be nominated for fan of the year. Saenz does have too much experience to be in the same sentence as the rookie, but lets be frank, they are not going to be in the opening day lineup. They are role players the Mets have picked up. But it sure didn't look like that on Friday.

Saenz went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run. He's going to be a probability for the benchwarming committee. He may be decent, but unless there is a big injury that happens at first (don't fall apart Delgado), he's not going to get much playing time, probably 50 games to give the regulars a day off once in a while. Cancel, a rookie surely not going to make the roster with a .222 average, mimicked the veteran by hitting a double and home run as well.

Courtesy of espn.com

Unfortunately, whenever there is a good side, there is also a bad side. Oliver Perez is starting to look like a blunt knife cutting meat, he just cant get the job done. He gave up 6 runs, three of them earned in three innings...definitely not a good sign. I think every Met fan out there would just hope that he just had a bad outing.


Have to give a round of applause for the bullpen. No runs given up after Perez left. They recorded 5 strikeouts to seal the deal.

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.