Who would’ve though Livan Hernandez would be the first Mets starting pitcher to see the seventh inning?
The Mini Recap
Hernandez pitched 6 2-3 innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits, three walks while striking out four. Meanwhile, Jose Reyes drove in three runs, Luis Castillo scored three times and went 4-4.
For the full recap, head over to Baseball Digest…
Even though tonight’s game between the Florida Marlins and the New York Mets will begin at 6:25 p.m., it will not show up on SNY until 7:05 p.m.
Why? Because of a Flo Rida concert. Read my article about it over at Baseball Digest.
Remember: The game will be joined in progress on SNY at 7:05 p.m. Stupid Marlins.
The Web site PitchInForAGoodCause.org has just added a new T-shirt to their collection. It honors Hall of Famer and longtime Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner.
Check out the shirt here! All proceeds go to the Mets broadcasters (Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling) favorite charities.
The Mets are 2-2 in this young season and a major problem has already shown itself. Leaving runners on base, a problem this team has struggled with in the past.
In the first game of the season, the Mets managed to squeak out a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds while leaving 12 runners on base. The Mets then left 12 runners on base combined between the next two games against the Reds. They split those two games against Cincy.
In the first game against the Marlins, the spotlight shone on this inability once more. The Mets left 14 runners on base and eventually lost the close game in the bottom of the ninth inning.
This, as you can obviously tell, is not a good sign.
While it is nice that they are, at least, getting runners on base with 40 hits and 22 walks so far this year, they can’t seem to get enough runners to touch home plate.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The Mini Recap
The Mets were down by one heading into the top of the 9th inning. Jeremy Reed delivered with an RBI single to tie the game. Jorge Cantu ended the game in the bottom of the 9th with a single to left, scoring Emilio Bonifacio from second base.
On The Mound
The Mets should be encouraged by John Maine’s start. He allowed solo home runs in each of the first two innings, one to Hanley Ramirez and another to Dan Uggla, but nothing else. Maine needed 83 pitches to get through five innings and allowed only those two hits. He walked only one and struck out five.
With all the worry over Maine’s mechanics and issues this spring training, this is a good sign for the Mets.
Sean Green took over for the sixth inning and allowed three hits and a run to score. He struck out three in the inning. Bobby Parnell had some hard tonight. After two quick outs, a Bonifacio bunt and John Baker bloop led to an RBI single from Ramirez.
Just terrible luck for Parnell. A bunt and a bloop with two outs lead to a very crucial run.
J.J. Putz was the sole untouched pitcher, throwing one inning, allowing only one hit. Pedro Feliciano started the ninth inning, allowing a one out infield single to Bonifacio. He then got Baker to strike out before being removed for Darren O’Day. After issuing a walk to Ramirez, O’Day surrendered a single to left field. Bonifacio sped around from second base to score the game winner, with Daniel Murphy’s throw coming in too late to get the runner.
Poor O’Day. He’s really not having a good few days. Hopefully this doesn’t cost him his roster spot.
At The Plate
Leaving runners on base doomed the Mets again. They left 14 runners on base.
Anibel Sanchez shut out the Mets for all five innings he was on the mound. Carlos Beltran then greeted Dan Meyer with a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning. Beltran struck again in the seventh inning, grounding into a fielders choice with the bases loaded to drive in Murphy.
Beltran seems to love hitting in Dolphin Stadium, with a career .331 AVG with 33 RBI in 32 games in south Florida. He added to that with his three hit night tonight.
Fernando Tatis pinch hit with the bases loaded again in the seventh, and just missed getting all of a ball for a grand slam. Instead, he flew out to the warning track, allowing David Wright to score from third on his sacrifice fly.
In the top of the ninth, with the Mets trailing by one, Beltran and Church singled with one out off of Matt Lindstrom. After Ramon Castro fouled out, Reed came to the plate as the Mets last hope. He delivered by ripping a single to right field, allowing Beltran to trot around and tie the game.
Nice way to win over Mets fans, Reed. If he’s supposed to replace Endy Chavez, this is a good start. Church and Murphy also picked up three hits tonight.
Game Ball
Carlos Beltran: 3-5, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 K.
On Deck
Livan Hernandez will face Ricky Nolasco tomorrow, with the game starting at 6:25 p.m. The game will not air on TV until 7:05 p.m. where it will be joined in progress.
Join in for a discussion of the Mets and Marlins game as John Maine faces off against Anibel Sanchez. Live blog will begin at 6:45 p.m.
The Mets need to clear a roster spot to make room for Livan Hernandez, who will be activated on Saturday. The battle seems to come down to Marlon Anderson, the pinch-hitter / backup first baseman, or Darren O’Day, the sidearming righthander.
As it stands now, it looks like it’s going to be Anderson and his $1.15 million contract that gets cut, according to Adam Rubin.
"Sometimes that guy never gets in a game, but at least you have that protection," Manuel said about carrying the extra reliever as a hedge against a starter getting knocked out early.
Mets officials insist they need OF Jeremy Reed, who can be optioned to the minors, as a defensive replacement for Daniel Murphy, leaving no apparent alternative to Anderson as the roster casualty. After hitting .210 last season, Anderson went 0-for-3 as a pinch-hitter against the Reds. He is owed $1.15 million this season.
It’s the most logical move for the Mets. I’m more than certain Anderson will catch on somewhere and be just fine.
(Five bucks says he lands with the Phillies and kills the Mets all season long…)
Yesterday, Darren O’Day made his first appearance in orange and blue. He hit the first batter he faced and then let up a two-run single, allowing two inherited runners to score.
But O’Day was pitching with a heavy heart. His ex-teammate, Nick Adenhart, had died early that morning. O’Day only found out an hour or so before the first pitch.
David Lennon relays a quote:
"I distinctly remember last year when I got sent down to Salt Lake and he called me the first night," said O'Day, who was visibly upset as he talked with reporters. "He went out of his way to welcome me to the team. He was an awesome teammate and a great friend. He'll be missed. I wish I would have called him last night or at least sent him a text message or something. I sent him one today, but that doesn't really do much good."
O'Day appeared to be on the verge of breaking down after that last sentence.
I couldn’t even imagine walking out to the mound and trying to quell all your nerves and emotions. I know that’s what is expected of a pitched, but not in a case like this.
Hopefully this doesn’t go against O’Day, who is fighting for a roster spot as Livan Hernandez’s activation inches closer.
RIP Nick Adenhart.
The Buffalo Bisons, the Mets new Triple-A affiliate, opened their season against the Pawtucket Red Sox. Friend of The ‘Ropolitans Howie Mansfield was in attendence, and he sent along a report and some photos.
Here’s what Mansfield had to say:
The Bisons lost 6-4 to the Pawtucket Red Sox on Opening Day in Buffalo. Jon Niese went two innings, gave up five runs. It was cold, and he never could get comfortable, and he was just rattled today. But the ump was worse...he should have gotten the game ball. Bisons had 11 walks as a pitching staff.
Fernando Martinez was great as DH. A double and a triple, but stranded both times. The Bisons had their chances to take the lead, but just not enough. Jonathan Malo had a nice game, while Nick Evans was quiet at the plate. I was surprised but there was no Argenis Reyes or Robinson Cancel.
And now for some more photos…
Thanks, Howie!!
