In the final game before the regular season gets underway, Oliver Perez looked absolutely miserable.
On The Mound
Not a start to write home about for Perez. Only 2-3 of an inning, six runs (two earned) and four walks isn't the way you want to close out spring training. Perez couldn't make his way out of the first inning, and didn't help his cause with a throwing error. Jed Lowrie hit a grand slam off Perez before he was removed.
Yeesh. I guess Mets fans should be used to these sort of starts from Perez though. If not, they better get used to it, and quick.
Nelson Figueroa took over for Perez, and allowed two hits in 1 1-3 innings. He walked one and struck out one.
I still don't understand how Figueroa is getting sent to Buffalo. He'd be perfect in the bullpen because he's so versatile.
John Maine got in his final two innings before the real season begins. One hit and two walks later, his day was over.
Can't complain about that.
Dillon Gee had a messy two innings, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks. He did tally three strikeouts, though.
Gee will get time in the minors. He's still a year or two away, if not more.
Michal Antoni and Darren O'Day finished out the game. In Antoni's two innings, he struck out two batters while allowing two hits and a walk. O'Day struck out one in a hitless effort.
At The Plate
The Mets bats were fairly quiet today.
The Mets first pushed a run across the plate in the fifth inning. Daniel Murphy doubled for his only hit of the game, driving in Luis Castillo.
Very good. Good to see by Murphy. Read what Howie Rose and Wayne Hagin had to say about Murphy on Mets Today.
The Red Sox kept the Mets off the board until the bottom of the ninth, when they managed to plate two more before the game came to a close. With two outs, a Jeremy Reed single, one of his two hits on the day, drove in Josh Thole. Ruben Tejada then singled, driving in Cora.
Reed may end up being the odd man out now that Gary Sheffield has arrived, but no one can be sure yet. It still may end up being Marlon Anderson heading elsewhere.
On Deck
Cincinnati on Monday for Opening Day. The game is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.
