Mets Gets swept by Braves in Short Series

METS 5 10 0
Braves 11 15 0

There is something about Turner Field that turns off the Mets. They lost both games over the weekend to the rival Braves. There was supposed to be a third game but it was rained out.

Flushing's finest lost to the Braves 11-5.

John Maine didn't look the same from the spring. Instead, the Mets got a pitcher who gave up four runs in four innings. He did strike out five but walked three. This guy is supposed to hold the #2 spot until Pedro gets back? I don't think so. He has to wake up and NOW!

Jorge Sosa gave up a grand slam to Kelly Johnson that sealed the deal.

On the bright side, Angel Pagan doesn't know the meaning of stop. He hit a two run single. The offense is looking healthy, its up to the bullpen to help fix this mess up.


Side note: a controversial call made by the umpire. Apparently the ball that Jose Reyes hit was caught. If you look back at the play, it clearly hit the floor. The play was ruled a hit after an umpire conference and Willie argument. That would be about the only thing that went right for the Mets.


METS 1 5 0
Braves 3 8 0

In game two of the series, the battle of the team aces was in line. Newly acquired and always adored pitcher Johan Santana against veteran John Smotlz were dueling it out on the mound. Unfortunately, Smotlz and the Braves completed the sweep. They beat the Mets 3-1 in a close but heartbreaking game.

Santana pitched a beauty of a game, only giving up one run in seven grueling innings. He managed to strikeout three, but it was that one run that gave him the decision.



It was the big power hitter Mark Teixiera who delivered the big shot to put the Bravos up on top with a two run homer in the 8th. Ryan Church was so close of robbing the big guy of the homer, apparently he needs a bigger glove. Met fans take notice of this guy. He could be haunting us for years to come.

The only form of offense for the Mets came in the ninth inning where Church got a hit to knock in David Wright. But it was not enough and they failed to capitalize on an early opportunity to get ahead in the race of the NL East.

David Wright Said it best in the Daily News

"We need to play better," said David Wright. "This is an early-season test, and we've failed so far."

Weekend Recap - MLB.tv

Pics from ESPN.com

BREAKING NEWS: Pedro on DL, Out 4-6 Weeks

I usually don't do this but Pedro Martinez being hurt at the beginning of the season is big enough for a breaking news alert.

Last night in the forth inning, he felt a pinch in one of his legs after a pitch. He was taken out of the game after that. The mets went on to lose that game 5-4 in the 10th inning. It was diagnosed as a mild hamstring strain on his left leg. He is going to be placed on the 15 day DL, but will miss about 4-6 weeks of action....OUCH!

So where does this put the Mets' rotation? Is it time to hit the panic button? Not really, since for the next couple of weeks, all they need is a four man rotation, with the fifth spot being canceled out with a day off in between.

They still have John Maine to pick up the number two ball and run away with it. He has shown potential during the spring.

As for Pedro, his playing days seemed to be numbered as this is his contract year and has gotten hurt last year and the year prior to that. But let's hope that he has a speedy recovery.

Picture Courtesy of ESPN.com

Mets Squish the Fish on Opening Day

METS 7 10 0
Marlin 2 5 1



Johan Santana....is worth the wait! Mets prevail and get some revenge from last year against the team who sent them home for good. They beat the Marlins 7-2.

Santana struck out 8 in seven innings of work. He did give up a home run to Josh Willingham in the fourth but that would be all she wrote. It was clear that there was some frustration about that fastball he left over the plate, but then he quickly regrouped and sent the next batter to the bench.



David Wright destroyed the baseball on Monday as he hit a bases clearing double in the top of the fourth to cap the 6 run inning. He finished off the day 2 for 4.

Carlos Beltran and newly acquired Angel Pagan (personal favorite as of right now) also hit doubles to knock in runs that same inning.

There was a sign of frustration as Jose Reyes was caught stealing second. He slammed his helmet on th ground. Not good for a mid twenties superstar to get this annoyed this early in the season. Chin up, Reyes, there's always tomorrow.

SNY.tv Video: Santana's Debut
ESPN RECAP Video

Pictures courtesy of :
ESPN.com
SNY.tv

Pelfrey 5th Starter After All

Mike Pelfrey has recieved bittersweet news. He is the Mets 5th man in the rotation. But it is because Orlando Hernandez had to be placed in the 15 day disabled list. El Duque is trying to adjust to his new pitching stance and is trying to heal up from injuries.

This is the second year in a row that Pelfrey has won the position. Let's take a look at last years first five starts brought you by baseballreference.com

Date       Opp DR GmReslt Pitcher Result  IP   H  R ER BB SO HR   ERA

Apr 13     WSN  - W  3-2  GS-6            5.2  6  2  2  4  2  0   3.18
Apr 20     ATL  6 L  3-7  GS-5  ,L  0-1   5    6  4  4  2  3  1   5.06
Apr 25     COL  4 L  5-11 GS-3  ,L  0-2   3    8  6  6  1  1  1   7.90
May  1     FLA  5 L  2-5  GS-7  ,L  0-3   6.1  5  3  3  3  3  0   6.75
May  6    @ARI  4 L  1-3  GS-6  ,L  0-4   5.1  3  3  3  4  1  0   6.39

So hopefully last year is last year and he can get to pitching well
because these garbage numbers should be a forgotten memory.The 24 year
old has to know its due or die and hope they didn't make a mistake by
trading pitching prospect Phil Humber in that Santana deal.



Here's to a good year Mikey, dont screw up....

Picture courtesy of bats.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/jorge-sosa/

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