The Mets got another dominant outing from their starting pitcher, as Johan Santana was dominant through 6 innings as the Mets cruised to a 7-0 win over the Orioles.
Santana allowed only 5 hits while striking out seven and walking one. Santana was very balanced, getting 5 ground outs to his 5 fly outs. Santana got up to 91 mph from what I saw, though he probably got up over that at some point.
Absolutely great outing from Johan. Can't ask for much more than that.
Pedro Feliciano and Aaron Heilman combined for the 7th inning, neither allowing a hit while each picked up a strikeout. Duaner Sanchez pitched for the first time since Monday, allowing only one hit. Billy Wagner finished out the game, tallying one strikeout in his one inning of work.
That's what a bullpen is supposed to do, and if Sanchez doesn't break camp with the team, he will be with them soon, and we will see performances like this from the Mets bullpen. Sanchez just needs to be able to come back tomorrow and pitch pain free.
Jose Reyes and Luis Castillo each picked up two hits tonight, going 2-3. Reyes also scored once and drove in one run. Fernando Tatis, who subbed in for Castillo late in the game, hit a run scoring RBI triple in the 8th inning. Tatis drove home two.
Good stuff from the top of the order, and especially good from Tatis. I think he'll see some time with the team during the season.
Gustavo Molina threw hit catchers mask into the mix in the Mets need someone come opening day, hitting a 2-run double in the 8th inning, and scored once as well. Santana also went 1-1, with a walk and run scored. Santana knocked a double in the second, and scored on a single from Reyes. The Mets also got an RBI from Carlos Beltran and runs scored from Brady Clark and Anderson Hernandez.
Way to help himself with the bat, while setting people down left and right.
Game ball: Santana, without a doubt.
3/20/08
Saenz sent down to minor league camp
According to John Delcos, Olmedo Saenz has been sent down to the minor league camp.
I have no comment. The Mets won't miss him.
I have no comment. The Mets won't miss him.
Live Game Commentary: Orioles at Mets
This is a decaf version of the usual live game thread...
First inning:
First inning:
- 3 pitches, 2 outs for Johan Santana. I like what I see.
- A strikeout to end the inning on a ball practically in the dirt. Thats a hot start. I saw him dial it up to 90, but may have missed if anything went higher.
- Jose Reyes did it again. He hit a chopping ball down the first base line, and thinking the ball might go foul, just stood in the batters box, waiting. Luckily the ball got by, and into the O's bullpen, as Reyes jogged to second. He needs to run first and ask questions later.
- Luis Castillo is trying very hard to lay down a bunt to move Reyes to third, but keeps fouling it off. He eventually slaps one to third, and Aubrey Huff dropped the throw, while Reyes moves to third. 1st and 3rd, no out.
- Shallow pop up to right by David Wright, too close for Reyes to try and sprint home.
- Carlos Beltran pulls a 3-1 ball under the diving glove of Huff, Reyes comes home. Beltran is looking pretty healthy and comfortable (knock on wood).
- Wild pitch allows the runners to advance, with Carlos Delgado at the plate. 3-0 count on him. And he walks to load the bases with 1 out...
- For Ryan Church. Who promptly grounds into an inning ending double play on his first pitch.
- Man, Santana is smoking tonight. I didn't even see the first out. Again.
- 3-1 count, and a can of corn to right field for the second out.
- And there goes the no hitter, as Santana gives up a single. Still, I think so far, of all nights, Santana has his best stuff tonight. He's pumping his fastball in there, that last one got up to 91 mph.
- The changeup is also spot on tonight, as he gets it down to 77 mph for the strikeout to end the inning. So sweet.
- I've come to notice that Pedro Martinez enjoys wearing polo shirts on his off days.
- Here comes Robinson Cancel who might break north with the team if one, or both, of the catchers isn't healthy enough to go. He pops out for the first out of the inning.
- Endy Chavez quickly grounds out.
- Johan quickly 0-2, rips a double into the gap. I freakin' love this guy.
- Reyes serves one over to right over the second baseman's head. Santana comes around to score, the throw is cutoff on the infield, and they gun down Reyes trying to stretch it to a double.
- Pizza break. 2 outs, one on. Santana walked him.
- Santana gives up a double to left, and Chavez shows off his arm, again, and almost guns down the runner at second. 2nd and 3rd, 2 away.
- He somehow got out of it while I was throwing away my pizza.
- Castillo bounces out the the pitcher for the first out. I know how many people hate that swing of his, but he knows what to do and gets the job done.
- College basketball is drawing my attention away, sorry! Wright is on first with one out.
- Beltran seems to un-plant his feet when he swings more this year, a la Shawn Green. He pops out of his stance when he makes contact, just something to watch as he strikes out swinging.
- Delgado grounds up the middle, as they do not put on the shift, and Wright goes 1st to 3rd on the single.
- On a full count, with the chance to drive in a run, Church pops out to center field. I really want to like him, and trust him, but he needs to start putting up numbers. I know he's coming off a rough hit and just had a new baby, but when the season rolls along, he better not make any excuses.
- First pitch leadoff single against Santana.
- Ex-Met Jay Payton is up, and swings mightily at a 78 mph change to no avail. He looks even worse on the second pitch, trying to check his swing on a ball that's in the dirt. He serves one to Wright, who's throw to second is well the the left of the bag, and Castillo's only play is to make the grab and out at second base.
- A single ripped to right, which Church cuts off nicely and gets a strong throw in, but Payton is already standing at third. 1st and 3rd, 1 away.
- Santana is a little wild tonight. A little odd.
- A ball high and inside gets Cancel off his feet early, as he makes a beautiful throw to the right of the bag to get the runner attempting to steal.
- Santana gets a K to end the inning.
- Nice play by the pitcher (sorry, I'm not listening to the game. NCAA BBall, you know) to get Cancel at first, one away.
- Again, he knocks down a comebacker to get Endy for the second out.
- Santana has worked the count full. He takes some pretty strong swings, please don't hurt yourself. Santana walks. Bat him 4th, I say!!
- Back-to-back walks spell the end of the day for the O's pitcher.
- Castillo serves a single into center, the bases are loaded.
- Wright hits one off the end of his bat, right to the second baseman. Inning over. The Mets have has the bases loaded, twice, and no runs to show from that situation.
- First base apparently does not want to play along, and is just sitting next to the hole, so we're waiting on that.
- I'm getting too into this Duke / Belmont game, there are 2 away in the inning.
- The inning ended, apparently.
- This will be the last inning for the live blog, I'll be back later with a recap
- Another ball ripped right to the second baseman. Beltran is retired.
- Delgado grounds out to second. 2 away quick.
- Church does not look good. He strikes out looking at a curve ball.
Lineup vs. the Orioles
A lot of work going on behind the scenes for something new...stay tuned for details...
Lineup for the O's:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Ryan Church
C Robinson Cancel
LF Endy Chavez
LH Johan Santana
Brian Schneider misses another game behind the plate. This is not looking good for opening day, that's for sure.
Lineup for the O's:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Ryan Church
C Robinson Cancel
LF Endy Chavez
LH Johan Santana
Brian Schneider misses another game behind the plate. This is not looking good for opening day, that's for sure.
Emergency catcher in an unlikely person
Joe, over at Mets Today, tips us off to a possible emergency catcher, if need be.
From Mets Today:
He's shown hustle this spring, and he's the best type of player, one that will go all out at all times for the team.
From Mets Today:
Not sure if anyone else “caught” this tidbit during the SNY broadcast of last night’s spring training game, but the Mets have an emergency catcher.Clark has already offered to pick up a first baseman's glove and take reps at first, now he claims he can catch, and can play in left and right field.Brady Clark.
Clark claims to have been the “emergency catcher” while with the Cincinnati Reds — which was six years ago. He’s never appeared in a Major League game behind the plate, and to my knowledge has never caught a professional inning.
He's shown hustle this spring, and he's the best type of player, one that will go all out at all times for the team.
Giddy like a school girl, baseball is almost here!
I can smell it now.
The hot dogs rolling on the grill. The pretzels spinning on their racks. The popcorn popping away in the kettle.
All that, mixed with the smell of Flushing, New York and to sound of balls cracking off a wooden bat, and I can almost imagine myself at Shea Stadium.
Baseball is almost here. Right now, it is March 20th, and a mere 11 days stand between us fans and real, meaningful baseball. I don't know about you, but I already catch myself clapping for nice plays in the field, getting pumped up for strikeouts, and screaming at umps for making a close call going the other way.
11 days away from the Mets opening up in Florida against the Marlins, and starting the calendar where wearing my plastic Mets helmet is semi-acceptable. That helmet has taken a beating over the last two season, getting tossed around and pummeled like an old punching bag. Still, it stays uncracked and resilient, usually facing forward while the Mets are batting, and backwards in the field. It's usually like that because sometimes the mojo just isn't working, and I need to switch things up a bit.
Anyway, what I'm really trying to convey here is that real, live, wins and loses count, major league baseball is so very, very close.
I've never been this excited for a Mets season to begin. With all of the offseason acquisitions, how can you not be ready and raring to go for this season? If you still have a dismal outlook on the team, you need to pack up your Mets gear, send it to over to me (seriously, if you want to send me something...anything Mets related...and have it appear on this blog, just e-mail me).
Think about it: The Mets landed the best pitcher in the majors, got one of the best pitchers ever back for a full season, upgraded defensively at catcher, picked up a big bat in right field, have the left side of the infield reaching their primes and settling down into a serious, baseball focus, got 4 new knees between the second baseman and the center fielder, and even could consider the bullpen a strong point!
What more can you want from a team?
A new stadium? Well, wait another year.
Cheaper tickets? Get real.
Easier parking? In your dreams.
How about a World Series ring? Of all years in recent memory, this Mets team is the best talent I can remember, and I've never seen a buzz about the team like this. This year is going to be special, I can feel it already, and we're all ready to go along for the ride.
So maybe, Mets fans. Maybe this is our year.
The hot dogs rolling on the grill. The pretzels spinning on their racks. The popcorn popping away in the kettle.
All that, mixed with the smell of Flushing, New York and to sound of balls cracking off a wooden bat, and I can almost imagine myself at Shea Stadium.
Baseball is almost here. Right now, it is March 20th, and a mere 11 days stand between us fans and real, meaningful baseball. I don't know about you, but I already catch myself clapping for nice plays in the field, getting pumped up for strikeouts, and screaming at umps for making a close call going the other way.
11 days away from the Mets opening up in Florida against the Marlins, and starting the calendar where wearing my plastic Mets helmet is semi-acceptable. That helmet has taken a beating over the last two season, getting tossed around and pummeled like an old punching bag. Still, it stays uncracked and resilient, usually facing forward while the Mets are batting, and backwards in the field. It's usually like that because sometimes the mojo just isn't working, and I need to switch things up a bit.
Anyway, what I'm really trying to convey here is that real, live, wins and loses count, major league baseball is so very, very close.
I've never been this excited for a Mets season to begin. With all of the offseason acquisitions, how can you not be ready and raring to go for this season? If you still have a dismal outlook on the team, you need to pack up your Mets gear, send it to over to me (seriously, if you want to send me something...anything Mets related...and have it appear on this blog, just e-mail me).
Think about it: The Mets landed the best pitcher in the majors, got one of the best pitchers ever back for a full season, upgraded defensively at catcher, picked up a big bat in right field, have the left side of the infield reaching their primes and settling down into a serious, baseball focus, got 4 new knees between the second baseman and the center fielder, and even could consider the bullpen a strong point!
What more can you want from a team?
A new stadium? Well, wait another year.
Cheaper tickets? Get real.
Easier parking? In your dreams.
How about a World Series ring? Of all years in recent memory, this Mets team is the best talent I can remember, and I've never seen a buzz about the team like this. This year is going to be special, I can feel it already, and we're all ready to go along for the ride.
So maybe, Mets fans. Maybe this is our year.
3/19/08
Latest round of cuts
Even though Fernando Martinez went 1-1 with an RBI double in tonight's game, he was part of the latest round of cuts sent to the minor-league camp.
FMart, Tony Armas Jr., Nate Field and Joselo Diaz were all sent to the minors after the Mets win over the Cleveland Indians.
Geez. Armas has barely had time to unpack since he got here.
We will see Armas sometime this season, no doubt in my mind. With El Duque suffering through injuries already and Mike Pelfrey on a roller coaster each outing, Armas might be making a start or many for the Mets this year.
FMart, Tony Armas Jr., Nate Field and Joselo Diaz were all sent to the minors after the Mets win over the Cleveland Indians.
Geez. Armas has barely had time to unpack since he got here.
We will see Armas sometime this season, no doubt in my mind. With El Duque suffering through injuries already and Mike Pelfrey on a roller coaster each outing, Armas might be making a start or many for the Mets this year.
Game Recap: Mets 3 -- Indians 1
Mets pitching was dominant tonight, allowing only 1 run while striking out 15 Indians en route to a 3-1 win.
John Maine needed 97 pitches through 5 2-3 of an inning, allowing 5 hits and 1 run. Maine allowed a solo home run in the first inning, but settled down nicely, only walking one batter while striking out 7 while on the bump.
Great outing from Maine. Everyone is talking about Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez, a lot of people forget about 15-game winners like Maine and Oliver Perez. Obviously a better pitch count and more innings would be nicer, but with the bullpen actually being a strong point (shocking, I know) it's allowable.
Joe Smith came into the game with 2 on and 2 out, and struck out the batter end the inning. Scott Schoeneweis and Aaron Heilman each allowed two hits in their inning of work, but neither allowed a run to score. Schoeneweis struck out one in the 7th, and Heilman struck out three in the 8th inning.
Look! Smith pitched and didn't allow a run! Celebrate! It's nice to see him go out there, with inherited runners nonetheless, and not let any runs in. Solid outings by Schoeneweis and Heilman.
Billy Wagner closed out the game, earning the save, with a 1-2-3 inning. Wagner set the side down with three strikeouts.
Can we get that every time he pitches?
The third, fourth and fifth positions in the lineup really delivered for the Mets tonight. They went a combined 6-10, scoring 3 runs and driving in one. David Wright, Fernando Tatis, Carlos Beltran, Fernando Martinez and Damion Easley were in that group. Martinez and Easley each hit doubles, with FMart driving in one of the runs.
Those doubles were great. Easley hit his down the right field line, and looked pretty good rounding the bases. Martinez sliced his double into the gap between left and center, which plated Tatis.
Raul Casanova got another start behind the plate, and came through, going 2-3 with a 2-out RBI. Jose Reyes also picked up a hit for the Mets.
I'm glad the Mets finally have a decent backup catcher not named Alomar or Di Felice. We might be seeing Casanova or Robinson Cancel if the catching injuries continue.
John Maine needed 97 pitches through 5 2-3 of an inning, allowing 5 hits and 1 run. Maine allowed a solo home run in the first inning, but settled down nicely, only walking one batter while striking out 7 while on the bump.
Great outing from Maine. Everyone is talking about Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez, a lot of people forget about 15-game winners like Maine and Oliver Perez. Obviously a better pitch count and more innings would be nicer, but with the bullpen actually being a strong point (shocking, I know) it's allowable.
Joe Smith came into the game with 2 on and 2 out, and struck out the batter end the inning. Scott Schoeneweis and Aaron Heilman each allowed two hits in their inning of work, but neither allowed a run to score. Schoeneweis struck out one in the 7th, and Heilman struck out three in the 8th inning.
Look! Smith pitched and didn't allow a run! Celebrate! It's nice to see him go out there, with inherited runners nonetheless, and not let any runs in. Solid outings by Schoeneweis and Heilman.
Billy Wagner closed out the game, earning the save, with a 1-2-3 inning. Wagner set the side down with three strikeouts.
Can we get that every time he pitches?
The third, fourth and fifth positions in the lineup really delivered for the Mets tonight. They went a combined 6-10, scoring 3 runs and driving in one. David Wright, Fernando Tatis, Carlos Beltran, Fernando Martinez and Damion Easley were in that group. Martinez and Easley each hit doubles, with FMart driving in one of the runs.
Those doubles were great. Easley hit his down the right field line, and looked pretty good rounding the bases. Martinez sliced his double into the gap between left and center, which plated Tatis.
Raul Casanova got another start behind the plate, and came through, going 2-3 with a 2-out RBI. Jose Reyes also picked up a hit for the Mets.
I'm glad the Mets finally have a decent backup catcher not named Alomar or Di Felice. We might be seeing Casanova or Robinson Cancel if the catching injuries continue.
Lineup vs. the Indians
The Mets welcome the Cleveland Indians to Tradition Field for a 7:10 p.m. game. The game is available on SNY.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Damion Easley
RF Ryan Church
C Raul Casanova
LF Angel Pagan
SP John Maine
Brian Schneider aimed to play tonight, and will try to play tomorrow. Duaner Sanchez also aimed to pitch tonight, but will most likely appear in tomorrow's game against the Baltimore Orioles.
This will probably begin the phasing out of lineups as they will get more and more typical. No live blog tonight, have a paper due tomorrow!
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Damion Easley
RF Ryan Church
C Raul Casanova
LF Angel Pagan
SP John Maine
Brian Schneider aimed to play tonight, and will try to play tomorrow. Duaner Sanchez also aimed to pitch tonight, but will most likely appear in tomorrow's game against the Baltimore Orioles.
This will probably begin the phasing out of lineups as they will get more and more typical. No live blog tonight, have a paper due tomorrow!
Schneider will sit again
According to David Lennon, Brian Schneider will sit again tonight for the game against the Indians.
From Lennon:
From Lennon:
I'm sorry to report that he will be nursing his strained right hamstring on the bench. Thank God for simulated games, eh? Schneider has appeared in a whopping total of five Grapefruit League games this spring and hasn't even made it through the whole rotation yet -- he's still waiting to catch Pedro Martinez in an exhibition game.Of all people to be out, I think he's the worst person to have miss these games. He's the captain out there, calling the shots for every pitch. He needs to build up camaraderie between himself and the pitching staff. As Lennon says, good things they have sim-games.
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