So far this season, this Mets season seems to have a knack for the dramatic.
The Mets topped the Braves, 3-2 in 10 innings Monday at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, FL.
Mike Pelfrey got the start, in place of Pedro Martinez, who is on the slow path back to the rotation, and shined in his second start in spring training. Pelfrey pitched three shutout innings, only allowing two hits without striking out or walking any.
Pelfrey was destroying bats left and right and getting ground ball after ground ball turning into outs behind him. He's looked very good so far, and with El Duque's injuries, it's his spot to lose.
Billy Wagner come on for the 4th inning, allowing one earned run on one hit, while striking out two.
Nelson Figueroa pitched 2 innings of scoreless baseball, allowing two hits and striking out one on a simply beautiful breaking ball to end the 5th inning.
Wags seemed to be testing pitches instead of pitching for outs, so no worries here. Figueroa has been impressive so far and if he can keep this up, he might see himself in Shea in April.
Jason Vargas and Ricardo Rincon each pitched hitless innings, with Rincon striking out two batter in his inning of work.
Carlos Muniz, sandwiched between Vargas and Rincon, allowed one run on one hit and struck out one.
Vargas is a forgotten name around these parts. Looks like he's heading for another season of waiting in AAA and filling in for injured pitchers.
Angel Pagan kept up the hitting, going 1-4 and scoring the first run for the Mets on a Ramon Castro triple. Castro went 2-3 on the day, with an RBI and a walk.
You read that right. Castro bombed a ball off the upper half of the outfield wall, which bounced back into center field.
Jose Reyes went 1-3, driving in one run on a chopper up the middle, which scored Castro.
Fernando Martinez also picked up a hit, going 1-4 on the day.
F-Mart smacked two balls down the first base line which were snagged by Scott Thorman and converted into outs.
Ruben Tejada won the game in the bottom of the tenth, driving a ball into the right-centerfield gap that scored Michel Abreu from first base.
If these dramatics can continue, of course with the Mets on the winning end, throughout the season, it's going to be a fun one. It'll also take a lot of Advil for the headaches and a ton of blood pressure medication.
3/3/08
Live Commentary: Braves at Mets
First inning:
Michel Abreu has a chance to shine, and get a lot of looks at first base with Carlos Delgado and Marlon Anderson out. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have a glove at all, letting a pick off toss from Mike Pelfrey get away and allow the runner to advance. Abreu can hit a ton, but he needs to back it up with at least a decent glove.
Is it me or are the bats really loud? On that Anderson Hernandez ground out, the bat sound was much louder than I remember. What leads to this: smaller stadium or better mics?
Second inning:
Anyone else catch that? David Wright fielded a grounder and did not double clutch before throwing it to first base.
Nice 1-2-3 inning from Pelf. Three ground outs, that all he needs to do.
Angel Pagan is raking. 8-18 so far in Grapefruit league play.
Ramon Castro bombed that ball. It's not many days you see a Castro triple. Pagan had great base running awareness on the ball off the top of the wall, and scored easily. 1-0 Mets, end of two.
Third inning:
Pelfrey's pitches claim another bat, but it goes for a infield single. He's dealing today, looks great on the mound. Great 3 innings from Pelf, who is probably done for the day. Two hits, one an infield single, and no walks. He's looking really good so far.
I don't know how Robinson Cancel saw where he was going on that double. His visor was pretty much over his eyes.
Jose Reyes delivers on a grounder up the middle, scoring Cancel. 2-0 Mets.
And Reyes' bouncing around on the bases pays off again, while he heads to third on a wild throw on a pickoff attempt.
And Moises Alou grounds into an inning ending double play.
Fourth inning:
Billy Wagner is in, allowing a bloop single to his first batter. Simply dirty pitches from Wags, cutting quickly away from left handed hitters. As I type this, he K's Scott Thorman on a fastball, up and in.
Looks like Wagner is trying out pitches rather than trying to retire batters. Braves score, 2-1.
Fernando Martinez has nailed both balls down the first base line, the first one getting caught on the fly, and the next being turned into a 1-3 double play. He's hitting it pretty well, but both right to Thorman at first.
Fifth inning:
Crowd favorite Nelson Figueroa is in, and if he keeps putting up decent numbers, he's another one to add to the bullpen competition mix. One hit allowed, and Figueroa ends the inning with a beautiful breaking ball.
Mets go quietly and quickly, 1-2-3. Scott Thorman is showing a heckuva glove at first, diving for the throw to beat Reyes while keeping a foot on the bag.
I'll end here for today. I have to head to class soon, with another class right behind that, so a recap won't be up until a bit later than normal.
Enjoy the rest of the game.
Michel Abreu has a chance to shine, and get a lot of looks at first base with Carlos Delgado and Marlon Anderson out. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have a glove at all, letting a pick off toss from Mike Pelfrey get away and allow the runner to advance. Abreu can hit a ton, but he needs to back it up with at least a decent glove.
Is it me or are the bats really loud? On that Anderson Hernandez ground out, the bat sound was much louder than I remember. What leads to this: smaller stadium or better mics?
Second inning:
Anyone else catch that? David Wright fielded a grounder and did not double clutch before throwing it to first base.
Nice 1-2-3 inning from Pelf. Three ground outs, that all he needs to do.
Angel Pagan is raking. 8-18 so far in Grapefruit league play.
Ramon Castro bombed that ball. It's not many days you see a Castro triple. Pagan had great base running awareness on the ball off the top of the wall, and scored easily. 1-0 Mets, end of two.
Third inning:
Pelfrey's pitches claim another bat, but it goes for a infield single. He's dealing today, looks great on the mound. Great 3 innings from Pelf, who is probably done for the day. Two hits, one an infield single, and no walks. He's looking really good so far.
I don't know how Robinson Cancel saw where he was going on that double. His visor was pretty much over his eyes.
Jose Reyes delivers on a grounder up the middle, scoring Cancel. 2-0 Mets.
And Reyes' bouncing around on the bases pays off again, while he heads to third on a wild throw on a pickoff attempt.
And Moises Alou grounds into an inning ending double play.
Fourth inning:
Billy Wagner is in, allowing a bloop single to his first batter. Simply dirty pitches from Wags, cutting quickly away from left handed hitters. As I type this, he K's Scott Thorman on a fastball, up and in.
Looks like Wagner is trying out pitches rather than trying to retire batters. Braves score, 2-1.
Fernando Martinez has nailed both balls down the first base line, the first one getting caught on the fly, and the next being turned into a 1-3 double play. He's hitting it pretty well, but both right to Thorman at first.
Fifth inning:
Crowd favorite Nelson Figueroa is in, and if he keeps putting up decent numbers, he's another one to add to the bullpen competition mix. One hit allowed, and Figueroa ends the inning with a beautiful breaking ball.
Mets go quietly and quickly, 1-2-3. Scott Thorman is showing a heckuva glove at first, diving for the throw to beat Reyes while keeping a foot on the bag.
I'll end here for today. I have to head to class soon, with another class right behind that, so a recap won't be up until a bit later than normal.
Enjoy the rest of the game.
Lineup vs the Braves
The Mets and the Braves will face off at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie at 1:10 p.m. The game will be televised on SNY.
Lineup and pitchers:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Anderson Hernandez
3B David Wright
LF Moises Alou
CF Angel Pagan
DH Ramon Castro
RF Fernando Martinez
1B Michel Abreu
C Robinson Cancel
RH Mike Pelfrey
Scheduled pitchers: When posted.
Good to see Wright and Alou back in the lineup. Also good to see Reyes playing, the knee must be fine then. Pagan is definitely getting his chance to impress, if he keeps this up he's got a great shot at making the team, if he isn't already penciled in.
Lineup and pitchers:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Anderson Hernandez
3B David Wright
LF Moises Alou
CF Angel Pagan
DH Ramon Castro
RF Fernando Martinez
1B Michel Abreu
C Robinson Cancel
RH Mike Pelfrey
Scheduled pitchers: When posted.
Good to see Wright and Alou back in the lineup. Also good to see Reyes playing, the knee must be fine then. Pagan is definitely getting his chance to impress, if he keeps this up he's got a great shot at making the team, if he isn't already penciled in.
Pedro throws BP; El Duque does something
Pedro Martinez, who is missing his spot in the rotation and allowing Mike Pelfrey to try and prove himself to make the team, pitched a bullpen session today.
According to Bart Hubbuch, Ben Johnson was the only player to make any sort of contact with one of the 45 pitches Pedro tossed.
Two aces. I still can't fathom it. The Mets actually have two amazing pitchers on the same staff. I never thought I'd see the day.
-----
Orlando Hernandez was supposed to have a session in the bullpen, but never made it to the mound. David Lennon reports that he never even picked up a baseball to try and pitch.
Instead, El Duque used a towel to go through his pitching motion and work the muscles back into season form.
I don't him coming back any time soon. This is Pelfreys spot to lose.
According to Bart Hubbuch, Ben Johnson was the only player to make any sort of contact with one of the 45 pitches Pedro tossed.
Two aces. I still can't fathom it. The Mets actually have two amazing pitchers on the same staff. I never thought I'd see the day.
-----
Orlando Hernandez was supposed to have a session in the bullpen, but never made it to the mound. David Lennon reports that he never even picked up a baseball to try and pitch.
Instead, El Duque used a towel to go through his pitching motion and work the muscles back into season form.
I don't him coming back any time soon. This is Pelfreys spot to lose.
Gotay and Church hobble into camp
The Mets are dropping like flies, and two of the injured made it back into camp today, one on crutches and the other sporting a shiner.
Ruben Gotay is on crutches, trying to stay off his sprained right ankle. Gotay wants to be back by the weekend, but that seems a tad bit optimistic. Gotay is set for X-rays, but he believes nothing is broken.
Ryan Church is also in camp, wearing sunglasses to hide a black eye. Church suffered a Grade 2 concussion after his collision with Marlon Anderson on Saturday. Church has no memory of the event, as David Lennon quotes him as saying, "I had the ball - that's what I heard." His concussion has caused some nausea, but luckily, no vomiting. He is out for an unknown amount of time, unable to play until his symptoms subside.
Jeremy Cothran claims the team is so beat up, "If you have a glove, I'd book a flight down here and ask for an open tryout. You never know."
Ruben Gotay is on crutches, trying to stay off his sprained right ankle. Gotay wants to be back by the weekend, but that seems a tad bit optimistic. Gotay is set for X-rays, but he believes nothing is broken.
Ryan Church is also in camp, wearing sunglasses to hide a black eye. Church suffered a Grade 2 concussion after his collision with Marlon Anderson on Saturday. Church has no memory of the event, as David Lennon quotes him as saying, "I had the ball - that's what I heard." His concussion has caused some nausea, but luckily, no vomiting. He is out for an unknown amount of time, unable to play until his symptoms subside.
Jeremy Cothran claims the team is so beat up, "If you have a glove, I'd book a flight down here and ask for an open tryout. You never know."
Middle relief for sale
With the overwhelming talent of bullpen talent in spring training for the Mets, it comes as no surprise there are a few names with "For Sale" signs attached to them.
According to Adam Rubin in the NY Daily News, GM Omar Minaya has alerted some teams that Jorge Sosa and Scott Schoeneweis are available.
A trade would create room for a guy like Steven Register, who has to make the 25-man team or go back to Colorado with $50 grand because he was a Rule 5 draft pick.
Schoe picked it up at the end of last year, especially when he was used in the correct situation for his abilities. Sosa is sometimes great, except for when the bases are loaded. I think he could help the team out, but his name hasn't been thrown around that much during ST.
According to Adam Rubin in the NY Daily News, GM Omar Minaya has alerted some teams that Jorge Sosa and Scott Schoeneweis are available.
A trade would create room for a guy like Steven Register, who has to make the 25-man team or go back to Colorado with $50 grand because he was a Rule 5 draft pick.
Schoe picked it up at the end of last year, especially when he was used in the correct situation for his abilities. Sosa is sometimes great, except for when the bases are loaded. I think he could help the team out, but his name hasn't been thrown around that much during ST.
3/2/08
Photo of the Day: Pagan
Angel Pagan knocks in two runs in todays game against the Dodgers.
Pagan is batting .412 through the first 5 games of spring training.
(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Gotay latest to go down
Ruben Gotay, who will either make the team, get traded, or be released due to his lack of options, twisted his right ankle while sliding into home plate in the 9th inning of today's game against the Dodgers.Gotay cannot put pressure on the ankle, and is expected to miss at least a few games.
He will be examined tomorrow in Port St. Lucie (What? No trip to New York for an MRI for Gotay?) and hopefully return to play soon.
(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Game Recap: Mets 6 -- Dodgers 5
In Oliver Perez's first start after going to arbitration and receiving a $6.5 million contract, he got no help from his defense in the first inning, but the Mets pulled out a win over the Dodgers 6-5 today in Vero Beach.
Perez started today's game, getting roughed up for 3 runs in the first inning. Perez went 2 innings, giving up 5 hits and 3 (questionable) earned runs. Perez walked one, and failed to tally a K. Misplays and miscommunication between Michael Abreu, Ruben Gotay and Fernando Martinez helped the Dodgers scored 3 in the first.
Perez didn't look too good, but hey, it's early, right?
Aaron Heilman pitched the third, allowing only one hit while striking out one. Scott Schoeneweis and Joe Smith each pitched an inning, allowing one run a piece. Schoe allowed 3 hits while striking out one, and Smith allowed the run on two hits.
Smith has been getting roughed up in the games so far, which doesn't look too good for him for the bullpen.
Ruddy Lugo, Stephen Register, Nate Field and Joselo Diaz finished out the game, with only Lugo allowing a hit. Lugo tallied 3 K's, striking out the side. Register struck out one, Field struck out two, and Diaz struck out one. Both Diaz and Field walked one each.
The offense picked up a bit today, tagging LA pitchers for 6 runs on 10 hits. Anderson Hernandez and Ruben Gotay both went 2-5, and scored one run. Gotay also added an RBI.
Brady Clark went 1-4, scoring once and driving in one.
Gotay limped into the clubhouse after the game, and its been reported he sprained his right ankle while sliding into home plate. He is unable to put pressure on the foot, but hopes to be back in a few days. A lot of guys are going to get their chance to prove themselves with all of these injuries going around.
Anderson Merchado went 1-2 with a walk, and scored twice. Fernando Martinez also picked up a hit. Angel Pagan continues to deliver, going 3-5 and drove in 3 runs. Pagan also snagged a stolen base, when he took second base in the 5th inning. He's batting .412 so far in spring training.
The B-squad went out and performed fairly well after a few first inning defensive mishaps. It's nice to see the young guys get their shot, and they will continue to play with all the injuries to the veterans.
Perez started today's game, getting roughed up for 3 runs in the first inning. Perez went 2 innings, giving up 5 hits and 3 (questionable) earned runs. Perez walked one, and failed to tally a K. Misplays and miscommunication between Michael Abreu, Ruben Gotay and Fernando Martinez helped the Dodgers scored 3 in the first.
Perez didn't look too good, but hey, it's early, right?
Aaron Heilman pitched the third, allowing only one hit while striking out one. Scott Schoeneweis and Joe Smith each pitched an inning, allowing one run a piece. Schoe allowed 3 hits while striking out one, and Smith allowed the run on two hits.
Smith has been getting roughed up in the games so far, which doesn't look too good for him for the bullpen.
Ruddy Lugo, Stephen Register, Nate Field and Joselo Diaz finished out the game, with only Lugo allowing a hit. Lugo tallied 3 K's, striking out the side. Register struck out one, Field struck out two, and Diaz struck out one. Both Diaz and Field walked one each.
The offense picked up a bit today, tagging LA pitchers for 6 runs on 10 hits. Anderson Hernandez and Ruben Gotay both went 2-5, and scored one run. Gotay also added an RBI.
Brady Clark went 1-4, scoring once and driving in one.
Gotay limped into the clubhouse after the game, and its been reported he sprained his right ankle while sliding into home plate. He is unable to put pressure on the foot, but hopes to be back in a few days. A lot of guys are going to get their chance to prove themselves with all of these injuries going around.
Anderson Merchado went 1-2 with a walk, and scored twice. Fernando Martinez also picked up a hit. Angel Pagan continues to deliver, going 3-5 and drove in 3 runs. Pagan also snagged a stolen base, when he took second base in the 5th inning. He's batting .412 so far in spring training.
The B-squad went out and performed fairly well after a few first inning defensive mishaps. It's nice to see the young guys get their shot, and they will continue to play with all the injuries to the veterans.
Line-up vs the Dodgers
The Mets will head to Dodgertown in Vero Beach, FL, to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 1:05 p.m. game.
Here is the line-up:
METS
SS Anderson Hernandez
2B Ruben Gotay
LF Brady Clark
CF Angel Pagan
C Ramon Castro
RF Fernando Martinez
1B Michel Abreu
DH Robinson Cancel
3B Anderson Machado
LH Oliver Perez
Now this is what you call a patched together line-up.
With all the preexisting injuries and the ones the Mets suffered over the past few days, Willie Randolph is lucky the team invites a whole slew of players to spring training.
I'm excited to see Perez today. I wonder if he'll experiment with any arm angles and anger Rick Peterson.
I'll add the pitching list once it's made public.
Again, I won't be able to track the game, so the recap will be a bit sparse.
Quick note: Adam Rubin, in his blog for the Daily News, has an interesting tidbit about Ruben Gotay.
From Rubin:
Also, check out this great Fernando Martinez article, also by Rubin.
Here is the line-up:
METS
SS Anderson Hernandez
2B Ruben Gotay
LF Brady Clark
CF Angel Pagan
C Ramon Castro
RF Fernando Martinez
1B Michel Abreu
DH Robinson Cancel
3B Anderson Machado
LH Oliver Perez
Now this is what you call a patched together line-up.
With all the preexisting injuries and the ones the Mets suffered over the past few days, Willie Randolph is lucky the team invites a whole slew of players to spring training.
I'm excited to see Perez today. I wonder if he'll experiment with any arm angles and anger Rick Peterson.
I'll add the pitching list once it's made public.
Again, I won't be able to track the game, so the recap will be a bit sparse.
Quick note: Adam Rubin, in his blog for the Daily News, has an interesting tidbit about Ruben Gotay.
From Rubin:
Scouts suggest the Mets may be concerned about Ruben Gotay's range and expect the team to shop for a bona fide backup shortstop this spring.Should be interesting to see what Gotay does this preseason to either prove his spot on the team or raise his stock for a trade elsewhere.
Also, check out this great Fernando Martinez article, also by Rubin.
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