According to MLB.com, via Mets Fever, Ruddy Lugo was sent down to AAA.
See you in September, Lugo.
3/16/08
3/15/08
Game Recap: Cardinals 10 -- Mets 3
Johan Santana made his fourth start of the spring, and did not put out his best effort, en route to a 10-3 loss by the Mets.
Santana gave up 4 runs, 3 earned, on 5 hits through 5 innings. He needed 84 pitches, walked one and struck out 5. Santana had to get deep in the count to get to a lot of batters, so needed a heap of pitches to get the job done.
Not his best stuff today. Looked like he was relying on the changeup a little to much and the batters were just waiting and waiting on it ready to turn.
Ricardo Rincon, who was jinxed by Gary Cohen and Ron Darling when they announced his hat should be tossed into the mix for a bullpen spot, only last 1-3 of an inning, giving up 4 hits while striking out one. He was charged with 4 runs. Joselo Diaz finished out the 6th inning, allowing one hit while striking out one.
Rincon had a lot of bad breaks and close calls, but I think his hat was promptly removed from the bullpen considerations.
Billy Wagner came on for the 7th inning, allowing no hits. Wags walked one and struck out two. Joe Smith continued to struggle this spring, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. Smith struck out two while on the bump. Aaron Heilman finished out the game, tossing one inning allowing one hit and striking out one.
Does not look good for Smith, not even for AAA. If it's your call, where do you send Smith?
The Mets struggled mightily on offense today, only tallying a handful of hits. Angel Pagan picked up a hit with a bunt single early in the game, he later scored on an error by left fielder Brian Barton after moving to second with a stolen base. Gustavo Molina added one hit. Luis Castillo made his first start of the spring, going 0-1 but walking twice.
Castillo showed some speed while trying to beat out his ground ball in the first inning, but as usual looked like he was in extreme pain. He always scares me with that limp and grimace, but he played into the 6th inning, so that's a very good sign.
Raul Casanova and Carlos Delgado picked up the other hits for the Mets, both with solo home runs. Casanova took Adam Wainwright deep to right field on a hanging curve ball. Delgado finally connected this spring, lining a homer the opposite way in the seventh inning.
Great to finally see Delgy connect for some power. And Casanova might get a shot at the opening day team if one Ramon Castro or Brian Schneider is not ready by March 31st.
The Mets also tallied 3 errors. A dropped ball by Delgado in the first led to runs for the Cardinals. Castillo misplayed a throw from Carlos Beltran, which allowed the runner to advance to second, and Anderson Hernandez got eaten up by a ground ball, his third error of the spring.
Santana gave up 4 runs, 3 earned, on 5 hits through 5 innings. He needed 84 pitches, walked one and struck out 5. Santana had to get deep in the count to get to a lot of batters, so needed a heap of pitches to get the job done.
Not his best stuff today. Looked like he was relying on the changeup a little to much and the batters were just waiting and waiting on it ready to turn.
Ricardo Rincon, who was jinxed by Gary Cohen and Ron Darling when they announced his hat should be tossed into the mix for a bullpen spot, only last 1-3 of an inning, giving up 4 hits while striking out one. He was charged with 4 runs. Joselo Diaz finished out the 6th inning, allowing one hit while striking out one.
Rincon had a lot of bad breaks and close calls, but I think his hat was promptly removed from the bullpen considerations.
Billy Wagner came on for the 7th inning, allowing no hits. Wags walked one and struck out two. Joe Smith continued to struggle this spring, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. Smith struck out two while on the bump. Aaron Heilman finished out the game, tossing one inning allowing one hit and striking out one.
Does not look good for Smith, not even for AAA. If it's your call, where do you send Smith?
The Mets struggled mightily on offense today, only tallying a handful of hits. Angel Pagan picked up a hit with a bunt single early in the game, he later scored on an error by left fielder Brian Barton after moving to second with a stolen base. Gustavo Molina added one hit. Luis Castillo made his first start of the spring, going 0-1 but walking twice.
Castillo showed some speed while trying to beat out his ground ball in the first inning, but as usual looked like he was in extreme pain. He always scares me with that limp and grimace, but he played into the 6th inning, so that's a very good sign.
Raul Casanova and Carlos Delgado picked up the other hits for the Mets, both with solo home runs. Casanova took Adam Wainwright deep to right field on a hanging curve ball. Delgado finally connected this spring, lining a homer the opposite way in the seventh inning.
Great to finally see Delgy connect for some power. And Casanova might get a shot at the opening day team if one Ramon Castro or Brian Schneider is not ready by March 31st.
The Mets also tallied 3 errors. A dropped ball by Delgado in the first led to runs for the Cardinals. Castillo misplayed a throw from Carlos Beltran, which allowed the runner to advance to second, and Anderson Hernandez got eaten up by a ground ball, his third error of the spring.
Live Game Commentary: Cards at Mets
Here we go again...Don't be afraid to comment and discuss!
Pre-game:
The Johan Santana teasers are awesome. Just throwing that out there. Glad to get Luis Castillo back into the fold before the season starts.
First inning:
Santana comes out and throws 90 on his first pitch. Hit 91 on his last pitch to Skip Schumacher. Honestly, Brian Barton looks like the last guy to major in aerospace engineering, no offense. Jose Reyes gets a ground ball, throws to first base a little low and Carlos Delgado flat out drops it. Here come the Delgado haters. Albert Pujols absolutely rockets a ball down the third base line. Good throw by Angel Pagan, almost beat got Barton at the plate. Raul Casanova looked like he got Pujols at third. I love how Santana pops off the mound when he thinks he gets the strikeout. There he goes, as he sits down the batter up and in. Back to back K's. Sinker, low and away. Beautiful.
Surpise! Reyes didn't get out on the first pitch. Castillo on the other hand swings on his first pitch of spring...and almost beats it out. Showed pretty decent speed getting down to first. Good morning, good afternoon, and goodnight for David Wright. There was that darn curveball again from Adam Wainwright.
Second inning:
Can of corn for Beltran out in center. Brendan Ryan is sporting the high socks. I really wish more players did that. Popped up behind home for Casanova. Tony LaRussa's strategy here, with the batter hitting 8th is to get three hitters ahead of Pujols the 2nd time around the batting order. I think it could work. Wright goes into foul territory and throws a bullet to Delgado to get Wainwright at first. He's been working on that arm, I guess.
I absolutely love Beltran's swing. It's just so sweet and compact. And then he pops up in foul territory. Delgado goes down swinging...again. Angel Pagan lays down a perfect bunt and easily beats it out to first. This guy is good. They are checking on Pagan a lot, which makes me believe other teams think he is a big threat. And they're right. Pagan takes second against one of the best arms in the game in Yadier Molina. Casanova knocks the ball the other way, and Barton could have had it, misses it, boobles it and drops it. Pagan comes around to score, while Casanova only gets to first. Endy Chavez grounds out to first to end the inning.
Third inning:
Kevin Burkhardt is interviewing Fernando Martinez, and Oliver Perez is just standing there with his arm around FMart. You have to love Ollie's personality. Easy ground ball for Reyes for the first out. Santana issues a walk to Schumacher. Santana just made Barton look silly on a changeup. Barton almost spun himself into the ground. Another changeup and Barton knocks in deep into the gap. Easy triple, run scores. Someone said recently that Santana is using his changeup too much and people are going to start to pick up on it. Santana just shook off a changeup, didn't take any other pitches, went back to the changeup and chose that one. The mind games!! Pujols pops up in foul territory to Wright. Fastball, inside and Troy Glaus is down looking. Santana has done a great job of limiting the damage.
Here's Santana's first AB. Nice swing on an 0-1, but grounded out to second. Reyes slaps one to short, 2 away quickly. Castillo, in his second at bat of spring, works the count 3-2 before walking. Good eye for only his second turn at bat. Fielders choice, inning over.
Fourth inning:
Reyes is in midseason form in the field. Amazing diving play taking him onto the OF grass. Spins up and makes the throw. Beltran gets tested in center, having to make a long run and diving for the ball. It got past him, but he doesn't look too shaken or anything. Molina jogs in to second with a double. Santana is not having a good day, Ryan just knocked one off the top of the wall. I don't know why Pagan didn't go up for that, he might have lost it in the sun. 3-1 STL. Wainwright singles, it's now 1st and 3rd. A sac-fly to right brings in the run. This is not Johan's best day. Fielders choice ends the inning. Does Santana get trotted out there for a 5th inning, his pitch count is up in the 60's.
Beltran grounds out the second. Wainwright in ON today. Nice to see Delgado go the other way. That is definitely something he needs to do more this season. Pagan drills one to straight away center. 1-2-3 inning for Wainwright. Pagan has the only hit for the Mets so far.
Fifth inning:
Santana is out there again, working to an 0-2 count on Barton quickly. Now it's 2-2, almost got him to chase a sinker. Got him on the changeup again, and Santana tallies his fourth strikeout of the day. Santana is getting way up in the pitch count, but I guess everyone is OK with it. Pujols chops out to Reyes, two away. Santana ends his day with his 5th strikeout. Probably his best inning right here in the fifth.
Final line: 5 innings, 5 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 1 walk, 5 K's. 84 pitches.
Casanova making his case to get on the team if one of the catchers can't go take Wainwright deep to right field. He waited on that curveball and made the best of it. 4-2 STL. Marlon Anderson is taking his first cuts in a while, still recovering from the collision with Ryan Church. Anderson goes down looking. Inning over on a Reyes pop-up to left field.
Sixth inning:
Ricardo Rincon takes over on the mound. Gary and Ron are lobbying to get Rincon in the mix for the bullpen spot. He's been great this spring, but I just don't see room for him. A long, fly ball into the gap. I don't think Beltran had a shot at that, healthy or not. Perfect placement. Seems the guys in the booth jinxed Rincon, as he gives up another double. 5-2 STL. Well take Rincon's name out of the hat, or his hat out of the mix, whichever you prefer. A single up the middle and a mishandled ball, 2nd and 3rd, no one out. Oh boy, this is getting out of hand. Grounder to third, tips the back of the bag and skips away and into the bullpen. 7-2 STL. Usually sure-handed Anderson Hernandez got caught in between on a ball, E6. Second and third, one away, looking.
Internet issues. I'll end here for the day. It's currently 8-2 STL, with 2 on and 1 out.
Be back later with a game recap.
Pre-game:
The Johan Santana teasers are awesome. Just throwing that out there. Glad to get Luis Castillo back into the fold before the season starts.
First inning:
Santana comes out and throws 90 on his first pitch. Hit 91 on his last pitch to Skip Schumacher. Honestly, Brian Barton looks like the last guy to major in aerospace engineering, no offense. Jose Reyes gets a ground ball, throws to first base a little low and Carlos Delgado flat out drops it. Here come the Delgado haters. Albert Pujols absolutely rockets a ball down the third base line. Good throw by Angel Pagan, almost beat got Barton at the plate. Raul Casanova looked like he got Pujols at third. I love how Santana pops off the mound when he thinks he gets the strikeout. There he goes, as he sits down the batter up and in. Back to back K's. Sinker, low and away. Beautiful.
Surpise! Reyes didn't get out on the first pitch. Castillo on the other hand swings on his first pitch of spring...and almost beats it out. Showed pretty decent speed getting down to first. Good morning, good afternoon, and goodnight for David Wright. There was that darn curveball again from Adam Wainwright.
Second inning:
Can of corn for Beltran out in center. Brendan Ryan is sporting the high socks. I really wish more players did that. Popped up behind home for Casanova. Tony LaRussa's strategy here, with the batter hitting 8th is to get three hitters ahead of Pujols the 2nd time around the batting order. I think it could work. Wright goes into foul territory and throws a bullet to Delgado to get Wainwright at first. He's been working on that arm, I guess.
I absolutely love Beltran's swing. It's just so sweet and compact. And then he pops up in foul territory. Delgado goes down swinging...again. Angel Pagan lays down a perfect bunt and easily beats it out to first. This guy is good. They are checking on Pagan a lot, which makes me believe other teams think he is a big threat. And they're right. Pagan takes second against one of the best arms in the game in Yadier Molina. Casanova knocks the ball the other way, and Barton could have had it, misses it, boobles it and drops it. Pagan comes around to score, while Casanova only gets to first. Endy Chavez grounds out to first to end the inning.
Third inning:
Kevin Burkhardt is interviewing Fernando Martinez, and Oliver Perez is just standing there with his arm around FMart. You have to love Ollie's personality. Easy ground ball for Reyes for the first out. Santana issues a walk to Schumacher. Santana just made Barton look silly on a changeup. Barton almost spun himself into the ground. Another changeup and Barton knocks in deep into the gap. Easy triple, run scores. Someone said recently that Santana is using his changeup too much and people are going to start to pick up on it. Santana just shook off a changeup, didn't take any other pitches, went back to the changeup and chose that one. The mind games!! Pujols pops up in foul territory to Wright. Fastball, inside and Troy Glaus is down looking. Santana has done a great job of limiting the damage.
Here's Santana's first AB. Nice swing on an 0-1, but grounded out to second. Reyes slaps one to short, 2 away quickly. Castillo, in his second at bat of spring, works the count 3-2 before walking. Good eye for only his second turn at bat. Fielders choice, inning over.
Fourth inning:
Reyes is in midseason form in the field. Amazing diving play taking him onto the OF grass. Spins up and makes the throw. Beltran gets tested in center, having to make a long run and diving for the ball. It got past him, but he doesn't look too shaken or anything. Molina jogs in to second with a double. Santana is not having a good day, Ryan just knocked one off the top of the wall. I don't know why Pagan didn't go up for that, he might have lost it in the sun. 3-1 STL. Wainwright singles, it's now 1st and 3rd. A sac-fly to right brings in the run. This is not Johan's best day. Fielders choice ends the inning. Does Santana get trotted out there for a 5th inning, his pitch count is up in the 60's.
Beltran grounds out the second. Wainwright in ON today. Nice to see Delgado go the other way. That is definitely something he needs to do more this season. Pagan drills one to straight away center. 1-2-3 inning for Wainwright. Pagan has the only hit for the Mets so far.
Fifth inning:
Santana is out there again, working to an 0-2 count on Barton quickly. Now it's 2-2, almost got him to chase a sinker. Got him on the changeup again, and Santana tallies his fourth strikeout of the day. Santana is getting way up in the pitch count, but I guess everyone is OK with it. Pujols chops out to Reyes, two away. Santana ends his day with his 5th strikeout. Probably his best inning right here in the fifth.
Final line: 5 innings, 5 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 1 walk, 5 K's. 84 pitches.
Casanova making his case to get on the team if one of the catchers can't go take Wainwright deep to right field. He waited on that curveball and made the best of it. 4-2 STL. Marlon Anderson is taking his first cuts in a while, still recovering from the collision with Ryan Church. Anderson goes down looking. Inning over on a Reyes pop-up to left field.
Sixth inning:
Ricardo Rincon takes over on the mound. Gary and Ron are lobbying to get Rincon in the mix for the bullpen spot. He's been great this spring, but I just don't see room for him. A long, fly ball into the gap. I don't think Beltran had a shot at that, healthy or not. Perfect placement. Seems the guys in the booth jinxed Rincon, as he gives up another double. 5-2 STL. Well take Rincon's name out of the hat, or his hat out of the mix, whichever you prefer. A single up the middle and a mishandled ball, 2nd and 3rd, no one out. Oh boy, this is getting out of hand. Grounder to third, tips the back of the bag and skips away and into the bullpen. 7-2 STL. Usually sure-handed Anderson Hernandez got caught in between on a ball, E6. Second and third, one away, looking.
Internet issues. I'll end here for the day. It's currently 8-2 STL, with 2 on and 1 out.
Be back later with a game recap.
Lineup vs. the Cardinals
The Mets will take on the St. Louis Cardinals for a 1:05 p.m. game in Port St. Lucie. The game is available on SNY, and I will be running game commentary.
Lineup:
Jose Reyes SS
Luis Castillo 2B
David Wright 3B
Carlos Beltran CF
Carlos Delgado 1B
Angel Pagan LF
Raul Casanova C
Endy Chavez RF
Johan Santana P
Castillo is making his first appearance of the spring. Santana will finally get a chance to show his bat today. Casanova or Robinson Cancel might get a shot at the team with both Ramon Castro and Brian Schneider out with injuries.
Lineup:
Jose Reyes SS
Luis Castillo 2B
David Wright 3B
Carlos Beltran CF
Carlos Delgado 1B
Angel Pagan LF
Raul Casanova C
Endy Chavez RF
Johan Santana P
Castillo is making his first appearance of the spring. Santana will finally get a chance to show his bat today. Casanova or Robinson Cancel might get a shot at the team with both Ramon Castro and Brian Schneider out with injuries.
Happy Santana Day! (Part 4)
That's right! Today is another wonderful Johan Santana Day! Santana will face the St. Louis Cardinals at home for a 1:05 p.m. game. The game will be broadcast on SNY.
3/14/08
Baby Church
A big congrats to Tina and Ryan Church, who welcomed Mason Alexander into the world today!!
Congrats, Church! Now enjoy your spot in right field.
Congrats, Church! Now enjoy your spot in right field.
Game Recap: Mets 8 -- Marlins 2
John Maine looked stellar today, and the Mets coasted to an 8-2 victory over the Florida Marlins.
Maine went 5 innings, giving up only 3 hits, walking one, and striking out 6. Maine was getting them to pop out today, with his ground out to fly out numbers at 2-7.
What more can I add to that? A great outing by Maine who seems to be ready and raring to get the season started.
Scott Schoeneweis and Steven Register put together a scoreless inning each, with Schoe allowing one hit in his inning of work. Register faced the minimum of an inning, striking out one batter. Schoe tallied two strikeouts.
The bullpen is a crowded place.
Brian Stokes had another off day, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits in the 8th inning. Stokes did strike out the side though. Ruddy Lugo finished out the game, throwing a hitless inning.
See you in AAA, guys.
Argenis Reyes continued to flash a hot bat, going 3-5 with an RBI. Reyes is batting .545 on the spring. Endy Chavez also added an RBI, going 1-4. Angel Pagan has cooled off a bit, going 1-5 in the DH role. He is batting .380.
Where does Pagan stand? Does Endy still get the nod for LF?
Carlos Beltran went 2-3, with a double, and scored two runs while starting in centerfield today. Carlos Delgado also tallied a hit, struck out once, and scored one run.
They asked to make the trip, and both seemed to take steps forward towards the season.
Robinson Cancel, who is benefiting from injuries to Ramon Castro and Brian Schneider, went 3-4 with 2 RBI's and a run scored. The Mets also picked up RBI's from Brady Clark and Anderson Hernandez.
If Schneider can't make the opening day roster, Cancel will take his place, I think. Any chance AHern makes the 25-man roster, over Valentin for instance?
Maine went 5 innings, giving up only 3 hits, walking one, and striking out 6. Maine was getting them to pop out today, with his ground out to fly out numbers at 2-7.
What more can I add to that? A great outing by Maine who seems to be ready and raring to get the season started.
Scott Schoeneweis and Steven Register put together a scoreless inning each, with Schoe allowing one hit in his inning of work. Register faced the minimum of an inning, striking out one batter. Schoe tallied two strikeouts.
The bullpen is a crowded place.
Brian Stokes had another off day, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits in the 8th inning. Stokes did strike out the side though. Ruddy Lugo finished out the game, throwing a hitless inning.
See you in AAA, guys.
Argenis Reyes continued to flash a hot bat, going 3-5 with an RBI. Reyes is batting .545 on the spring. Endy Chavez also added an RBI, going 1-4. Angel Pagan has cooled off a bit, going 1-5 in the DH role. He is batting .380.
Where does Pagan stand? Does Endy still get the nod for LF?
Carlos Beltran went 2-3, with a double, and scored two runs while starting in centerfield today. Carlos Delgado also tallied a hit, struck out once, and scored one run.
They asked to make the trip, and both seemed to take steps forward towards the season.
Robinson Cancel, who is benefiting from injuries to Ramon Castro and Brian Schneider, went 3-4 with 2 RBI's and a run scored. The Mets also picked up RBI's from Brady Clark and Anderson Hernandez.
If Schneider can't make the opening day roster, Cancel will take his place, I think. Any chance AHern makes the 25-man roster, over Valentin for instance?
FMart a "keeper"
There's a great article on SI.com profiling Mets prospect Fernando Martinez.
From Walter Villa:
From Walter Villa:
He's the anti-Lastings Milledge -- a young man who has earned the veterans' respect with his hard work and humble nature.Great stuff from Villa. Really makes you glad they hung on to this kid, and excited for him to get up to the majors as soon as he's ready.He's Fernando Martinez -- a 19-year-old outfielder the Mets protected, even when the Minnesota Twins demanded he be included in the Johan Santana deal.
---The big question now is when Martinez will arrive at Shea. Earlier this year, he caused his first controversy with the infamous New York media when he was quoted predicting he would play in the big leagues this season.
"You know what happened?" Martinez said. "I said that I want to get to New York in September (when the rosters can expand to 40 players). And then they wrote that I said I would get to New York this year. You understand?"
Perhaps the message was lost in translation, but Bernazard has his own view.
"Making it to the big leagues and arriving to stay are two different subjects," he said. "I wouldn't be surprised if by next year or the following year, he has arrived."
Regardless of when he arrives, Martinez is almost certain to arrive wearing a Mets uniform, for which he is grateful. "The truth, the real truth is that I did not want to leave here," he said. "I was prepared, because this is a business. But I wanted to stay."
Lineup vs. the Marlins
The Mets travel back to Jupiter, Fla. (why they didn't stay there, I have no idea) to take on the Florida Marlins at 1:05 p.m.
Lineup:
Argenis Reyes 2B
Endy Chavez RF
Angel Pagan DH
Carlos Beltran CF
Carlos Delgado 1B
Jose Valentin 3B
Brady Clark LF
Robinson Cancel C
Anderson Hernandez SS
John Maine SP
Glad to see Clark still getting a chance or two, though I don't see how he fits into the Mets plans right now. He'll probably go to AAA and wait for an injury. Cancel is sure getting a lot of time with the "injuries" to Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro. Especially happy to see Dos Carloses back in the lineup, with Beltran in CF. Hopefully Delgado can get a hit or two today.
Lineup:
Argenis Reyes 2B
Endy Chavez RF
Angel Pagan DH
Carlos Beltran CF
Carlos Delgado 1B
Jose Valentin 3B
Brady Clark LF
Robinson Cancel C
Anderson Hernandez SS
John Maine SP
Glad to see Clark still getting a chance or two, though I don't see how he fits into the Mets plans right now. He'll probably go to AAA and wait for an injury. Cancel is sure getting a lot of time with the "injuries" to Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro. Especially happy to see Dos Carloses back in the lineup, with Beltran in CF. Hopefully Delgado can get a hit or two today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)