This team seems like they are ready for the season. The Mets overcame a strong start from Matt Chico, and beat up the Nationals bullpen, winning 8-2.
Pedro Martinez put in 5 strong innings of work, allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits. Pedro did not walk any batters, and struck out 4. Pedro gave up a solo home run to left in the 4th inning to Austin Kearns. Other than that, Pedro looks pretty dominant. He did hit a batter, but still was pretty under control through the majority of the game.
For only Pedro's second start of the spring, I'm more than happy with that.
The rest of the bullpen combined to only allow one hit and a walk through the next 4 innings. Ricardo Rincon pitched the 6th inning, striking out two batters and making Paul Lo Duca look silly in his first game back from an injury. Pedro Feliciano allowed the one hit, and nothing else in the 7th. Scott Schoeneweis and Matt Wise closed out the game, with Wise walking one.
Not only do we have a strong bullpen in the majors, but we will have strong reserves waiting in AAA if anyone happens to get injured.
The offense absolutely exploded today, scoring 8 runs on 16 hits.
Jose Reyes, who has been hot lately, went 2-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI. Reyes tried to stretch one of his doubles to a triple, but was beaten by about 10 steps and was easily tagged out. David Wright had a huge day, going 3-4, scoring twice and driving in 2. Wright absolutely crushed a ball to deep left center for the only Mets home run of the game.
"The young studs." Is it bad luck to name them? I'm surprised no one has a clever nickname for them yet.
Carlos Beltran went 2-3 on the day, picking up a double. Angel Pagan went 2-2 with a walk, and also scored one run. Pagan ripped a triple off the wall in right field, he cruised into third standing. Marlon Anderson subbed in the game at first base, going 2-2 with 2 RBI's and a run scored.
Beltran looks very healthy out there. Pagan had cooled down recently, but picked it right back up again today. How does the bench shake out in your eyes?
Luis Castillo, Endy Chavez and Anderson Hernandez also scored for the Mets. Fernando Tatis and Gustavo Molina each picked up the rest of the RBIs for the Mets.
Tatis and Molina have each contributed in limited duty the past few days. Any chance for either of them? I don't think so, but again, they can be nice AAA reserves if/when someone goes down.
Game Ball: D. Wright.
Note: Brian Schneider played in a minor league game. He went 2-4 with a walk, picking up a home run and a double. He was not allowed to go full power, but said he felt good enough to play. He said he should return tomorrow against the Indians, but we know to take what he says with a grain of salt.
