Live Commentary: Dodgers at Mets 3/5

I'm going to run some live commentary for today's game. It's a little different from live blogging, as I don't do a play-by-play recap, just different notes and observations throughout the game. I should get the first 5 innings down here, before I have to trudge off to class.

First inning:
Johan Santana was a little wild with his first batter, not coming close to the zone a few times, and eventually walking him. He's consistently missing high, very high, bringing Raul Casanova to a standing position to field some balls. Santana strikes out Andruw Jones with a great pitch, and shows a bit of emotion, hopping off the mound. I love it. Santana works his way out of trouble in the first.

Anderson Hernandez gets on with a chopper up the middle that was misplayed by Young and Hu. This is all he needs to do if he ever wants to play in the bigs. Put the bat on the ball and hope it squeaks through a hole. David Wright is simply amazing at going the other way. I love when he pops one into right field. After loading the bases, Olmedo Saenz grounds into an inning ending double play. And that's why he has zero shot at making the team.

Second inning:
I'm also watching the Yankees / Twins game, as my roommate is a Yankees blogger (Scott Proctor's Arm) and Michael Kay just mentioned that Minnesota had to trade Santana away to the Boston Red Sox. I just looked at our other TV, and chuckled, as Santana strikes out Andy Laroche. Woah, I thought Brady Clark made that catch. Chopper up the middle, Dodgers score. 1-0 L.A., inning over.

Fernando Martinez drives one to the warning track for a leadoff double. He doesn't have the best running motion, so hopefully the Mets don't try and change that. (See: Jose Reyes) Casanova grounds out to first, and Clark attempts an unnecessary takeout slide, doesn't touch the bag, and is easily tagged out. Martinez scores, 1-1. Just a silly mistake by Clark, who needs a lot of things to go his way to find himself in Shea at the end of March.

Third inning:
Santana K's another. And another. And then induces a ground out. 4 strikeouts as his day is probably done. Final line: one run, two hits, one walk, four strikeouts. Very good day.

Reyes called out for running inside the base line. Shenanigans. Legend Ralph Kiner is in the booth. I love him, so much. Too bad it was a quick inning. 1-2-3, still tied at one. Kiner will be back after the break.

Fourth inning:
Steven Register is in the game, and quickly gets a fly out to center for the first out. Register is my dark horse to make the team. And just as quickly he allows a single to Laroche. Why does Wright always make his throws to first so interesting? Nice inning by Register, who struck out his last batter. I really like this guy.

Ex-Dodger and ex-Met Chan Ho Park is on the mound. Remember that start he made for us? Yecch! Pagan keeps it up, adding another single to his already great spring training numbers. Keith Hernandez says he has "Mad skillz." Saenz lines out, and Pagan almost gets picked off, but Laroche comes off the bag. Whew. Martinez is putting together a tough AB here, and works a walk out of it. 2 on, 1 out for Clark. Here's your chance. Clark K's, not good. Casanova K's to end the threat.

And that will be it for me. When the season rolls along, and games are at night, you'll get full game commentary instead of this shortened version.

Church to see neurologist; Add Alou to injured list

Ryan Church participated in workouts yesterday, but reported feeling dizzy again today, and is scheduled to see a neurologist.

From Bart Hubbuch in the Post:

Church is scheduled to see a neurologist here this afternoon after suffering a setback in his recovery from a Grade 2 concussion. Church reported a recurrence of dizziness and other symptoms when he arrived in the clubhouse today after a strenuous whirlpool workout yesterday.

Get well soon, Ryan.

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Moises Alou has that elusive first injury out of the way, heading to New York to have his right groin looked at.

Adam Rubin is reporting that Alou is not in camp, and is heading back to New York to have his groin examined.

Now is where Angel Pagan, Fernando Martinez and Brady Clark can prove themselves. All three starting outfielders are out with an injury of some degree.

Lineup vs. the Dodgers

How many times do we play the Dodgers during spring training?

The Dodgers come to town, for a 1:10 p.m. game and Johan Santana's second start this spring. The game will be available on SNY.

Lineup:
Jose Reyes DH
Anderson Hernandez SS
David Wright 3B
Angel Pagan CF
Orlando Saenz 1B
Fernando Martinez RF
Brady Clark LF
Raul Casanova C
Greg Veloz 2B

Johan Santana, P

Ever think you'd see the day where Reyes is the designated hitter?
I'm intrigued to watch Santana, of course, but also Clark and Pagan.

Brady Clark becomes that much more attractive

I've liked the Brady Clark signing and invite since it went down. Now, he becomes so much more intriguing for the Mets to add to the roster.

Adam Rubin notes that Clark is volunteering to play first base.

From Rubin:

Brady Clark is volunteering to play first base, a position he hasn’t played in the majors. That versatility could make him more attractive, since the Mets could use a righthand-hitting outfielder.

Beautiful. My friend has been campaigning to move Clark to first even if he's never played there before in the Majors.

I think Clark, who is a big enough of a guy and athletic enough to be equal to Marlon Anderson or Damion Easley at first, would be the perfect fit for a right handed bat, with the ability to play OF and first.

This would mean either Angel Pagan or Ruben Gotay wouldn't make the cut.

El Duque finally pitches bullpen session

The walking injury, Orlando Hernandez, finally felt well enough to pitch a bullpen session down in PSL.

Matt Cerrone, who is down in Florida reporting for Mets Blog and SNY, relays that El Duque is toying with his delivery. He is supposedly trying to lose the quintessential El Duque high leg kick, which is most likely causing some of his foot injuries.

From Cerrone:

...honestly, it’s impossible to tell if he looked good or bad…his delivery is a bit different…he was throwing sort-of sidearm at one point…

Sidearm, you say? Well, he's always had a strange delivery, and him dropping to sidearm wouldn't surprise me.

To me, at least, throwing sidearm for me is much more comfortable and smoother, even if I'm only throwing a Wiffle ball. If Duque does stick with a sidearm technique, and can stay crafty, and more importantly healthy, he might keep his career somewhat on track.

Happy Santana Day! (Part 2)

Johan Santana will make his second "start" today against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Tradition field.

It's a dark and stormy day up here in Connecticut, so I'm looking forward to tuning into SNY at 1 p.m. to see a nice, partly cloudy day down in Port St. Lucie.

Photo of the Day: Saenz

Olmedo Saenz dives into the stands, and makes the catch in foul territory.
Most likely the most impressive thing he'll do in camp.
(AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Shea Stadium is smoke free

Mets officials announced that Shea Stadium will be completely smoke free. You are no longer allowed to smoke on the ramps.

Citi Field will also be completely smoke free.

Gotay update: No break

Ruben Gotay can let out a little sigh of relief.

The early readings of the CT scan do not reveal a break. The images will be sent to New York for further inspection, but right now, it looks like it's just a sprain.

Game Recap: Mets 6 -- Marlins 2

John Maine made his second start of spring training, and had his contract renewed by the Mets, getting a bit of a raise.

Maine went 3 innings, allowing 4 hits and one run. The only run came on a solo home run by Jose Castillo in the second inning. Maine walked none while striking out three.

Nice that he's getting a raise, and coming out with a nice performance. Just get ready for the season and be able to pitch effectively.

Pedro Feliciano and Matt Wise loaded the bases in back to back innings, but both pitchers worked their way out of the inning without allowing a run to score. Feliciano allowed 2 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 2. Wise allowed one hit and one walk, also striking out two.

I'm thinking these two are locks for the bullpen.

Jorge Sosa pitched 2 innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 walks, and an unearned run. The unearned run came after an Angel Pagan error in center field. Brian Stokes earned the win, pitching one inning of hitless baseball. Andy Cavazos finished out the game allowing one hit in the 9th inning.

I'd like to see Sosa stick around. He can start and be the long man out of the 'pen. Just never ever put him in with the bases loaded.

Jose Reyes went 1-3 on the day, but left 4 runners stranded on base.
His mid-game replacement, and yesterdays hero, Ruben Tejada continued his theatrics, going 2-2, scoring twice, and driving in one run.

Not a bad two games for Tejada, if I say so myself.

Anderson Hernandez actually made contact with a baseball, going 2-5 with a run and an RBI. He also struck out and left 5 players on base.

The latter is what we've come to know from AHern in the majors.

David Wright went 1-3 with a walk in his DH-ing duties.
Pagan is really making a case for himself on the team, going 3-5, while driving in 2 runs. His batting average is up to .423 during spring training.

He's really impressing me so far. I think he's definitely the 5th outfielder at this point.
Another win for the Mets, their 4th in a row. They are now 4-3 in Grapefruit League play.