It took ten innings, but the Mets got their first win of the season, beating the Marlins 6-4.
Jon Niese had a rocky 1st inning, but soon settled down to finish the night with seven innings pitched, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts.
Terry Collins decided to pull Niese after just 87 pitches and had Bobby Parnell pitch the 8th inning. Parnell hit 98 MPH twice in the inning and struck out two.
The Mets were tied 2-2 going into the 9th inning, when Josh Thole hit an RBI single to give the Mets the lead.
All of this led to Francisco Rodriguez coming in to pitch the 9th with the Mets up by one run, and you'll never guess what happened. Okay...maybe you will. He blew it.
David Wright came to K-Rod's rescue in the top of the 10th inning, however, and had a very "clutch" RBI single, driving in Jose Reyes.
Most exciting hit of the night award, however, goes to Willie Harris. This guy was a great offseason pick-up. With two outs in the 10th, Harris doubled to drive in two runs and give the Mets some insurance runs.
Blaine Boyer was called upon to pitch the bottom of the 10th, and recorded his first save of the season, and only the second of his career.
*In case you're wondering, K-Rod still needs to reach 55 games finished for his option to vest.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Cashman, Warthen Exchange Words Over Feliciano
Ex-Met Pedro Feliciano made over 260 relief appearances over the past three seasons with the Mets, including a record 92 appearances in 2010.
I knew that. Most of you reading knew that. Apparently, the only one who wasn't aware was Yankees GM Brian Cashman when he signed the lefty to a two-year, $8 million contract during the offseason.
Now that Feliciano is starting the season on the Disabled List with a left rotator cuff strain, Cashman had this to say about Feliciano's previous employer:
“He was abused,” Cashman said. “It’s a thin market when you’re looking for lefties, and he’s one of the better ones out there. But you don’t typically go after a guy who’s been used like that.”
So, is this Cashman's way of saying he is now upset for taking such a gamble?
Mets pitching coach, Dan Warthen, responded with the following gem:
"They didn't know that when they signed him? ... He volunteered for the baseball every day. He was asked whether he was able to pitch. He said 'yes' every day -- every day -- and wanted to pitch more than we even pitched him."
Regarding Cashman's comments, Warthen said: "I feel badly that someone feels that way. That was part of the reason we decided to not re-sign him -- because we knew we had used him 270-some times in the last three years."
Hate to break it to Cashman, but this was not the Mets' doing. You made this signing happen, now you deal with the consequences.
I knew that. Most of you reading knew that. Apparently, the only one who wasn't aware was Yankees GM Brian Cashman when he signed the lefty to a two-year, $8 million contract during the offseason.
Now that Feliciano is starting the season on the Disabled List with a left rotator cuff strain, Cashman had this to say about Feliciano's previous employer:
“He was abused,” Cashman said. “It’s a thin market when you’re looking for lefties, and he’s one of the better ones out there. But you don’t typically go after a guy who’s been used like that.”
So, is this Cashman's way of saying he is now upset for taking such a gamble?
Mets pitching coach, Dan Warthen, responded with the following gem:
"They didn't know that when they signed him? ... He volunteered for the baseball every day. He was asked whether he was able to pitch. He said 'yes' every day -- every day -- and wanted to pitch more than we even pitched him."
Regarding Cashman's comments, Warthen said: "I feel badly that someone feels that way. That was part of the reason we decided to not re-sign him -- because we knew we had used him 270-some times in the last three years."
Hate to break it to Cashman, but this was not the Mets' doing. You made this signing happen, now you deal with the consequences.
Mets Look For A Fresh Start In Game Two
April 2, 2011
7:10 PM ET
Sun Life Stadium
TV: SNY
RADIO: WFAN 660
NEW YORK METS
Starting Pitcher: Jon Niese
Niese is coming off his first full season with the Mets, where he posted a 9-10 record and a 4.20 ERA.
FLORIDA MARLINS
Starting Pitcher: Ricky Nolasco
Nolasco finished the 2010 season going 14-9 with a 4.51 ERA.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Game One: It Has To Get Better, Right?
The Mets lose to the Marlins by a score of 6-2.
Oh, where to begin...
Mike Pelfrey only lasted 4.1 innings, giving up a grand slam, David Wright struck out twice, and the Mets didn't have a hit through six innings. It was like 2010 never ended.
Pelfrey took the loss, allowing five runs, giving up a grand slam to John Buck in the 4th inning and an RBI single to Gaby Sanchez in the 5th.
Marlins starter, Josh Johnson, got the win, and had a no hitter going through the first six innings, for good measure.
For those first six innings, all I could think was the baseball gods couldn't possibly be this cruel, could they?
But then Mets fans' prayers were answered, and up to the plate stepped Willie Harris. Yeah, that Willie Harris who fans were in an uproar over batting second in the order.
Harris broke up Johnson's no hitter and hustled to second base, getting himself in scoring position with the Mets down 5-0. Carlos Beltran then hit an RBI double to get the Mets on the board.
Pedro Beato was impressive in his debut for the Mets, throwing two scoreless innings. Taylor Buchholz came in to pitch the 8th inning and gave up a solo shot off the bat of Logan Morrison to make it 6-2 Marlins.
Next up: Mets vs. Marlins, part deux. Jon Niese will face off against Ricky Nolasco at 7:10 p.m.
Oh, where to begin...
Mike Pelfrey only lasted 4.1 innings, giving up a grand slam, David Wright struck out twice, and the Mets didn't have a hit through six innings. It was like 2010 never ended.
Pelfrey took the loss, allowing five runs, giving up a grand slam to John Buck in the 4th inning and an RBI single to Gaby Sanchez in the 5th.
Marlins starter, Josh Johnson, got the win, and had a no hitter going through the first six innings, for good measure.
For those first six innings, all I could think was the baseball gods couldn't possibly be this cruel, could they?
But then Mets fans' prayers were answered, and up to the plate stepped Willie Harris. Yeah, that Willie Harris who fans were in an uproar over batting second in the order.
Harris broke up Johnson's no hitter and hustled to second base, getting himself in scoring position with the Mets down 5-0. Carlos Beltran then hit an RBI double to get the Mets on the board.
Pedro Beato was impressive in his debut for the Mets, throwing two scoreless innings. Taylor Buchholz came in to pitch the 8th inning and gave up a solo shot off the bat of Logan Morrison to make it 6-2 Marlins.
Next up: Mets vs. Marlins, part deux. Jon Niese will face off against Ricky Nolasco at 7:10 p.m.
Pre-Game Pep Talk
Earlier today, the Mets released an e-mail to fans from Terry Collins, which was in a sense, a pep talk for the fans.
You have to like the guy's positive attitude, and I have to believe it will rub off on the players. We'll see how this works out as the season goes on, but it's too early to worry about that at the moment.
For now, it's Opening Day, and as a fan, if you can't be excited for Opening Day, what can you be excited about?
I'll admit, after the ugliness that was the 2010 season, my hopes were not incredibly high for this team.
My feelings are changing though. Maybe it's the new GM. Maybe it's the new manager. Maybe it's because I just heard the Black Eyed Peas playing in the background at Sun Life Stadium, but I got a feeling the 2011 season will be different from the past few years...in a good way.
So sit back and relax Mets fans. Enjoy the game.
You have to like the guy's positive attitude, and I have to believe it will rub off on the players. We'll see how this works out as the season goes on, but it's too early to worry about that at the moment.
For now, it's Opening Day, and as a fan, if you can't be excited for Opening Day, what can you be excited about?
I'll admit, after the ugliness that was the 2010 season, my hopes were not incredibly high for this team.
My feelings are changing though. Maybe it's the new GM. Maybe it's the new manager. Maybe it's because I just heard the Black Eyed Peas playing in the background at Sun Life Stadium, but I got a feeling the 2011 season will be different from the past few years...in a good way.
So sit back and relax Mets fans. Enjoy the game.
Opening Day Preview
April 1, 2011
7:10 PM ET
Miami, FL
TV: SNY
RADIO: WFAN 660
NEW YORK METS
Starting Pitcher: Mike Pelfrey
FLORIDA MARLINS
Starting Pitcher: Josh Johnson
METS LINEUP
Jose Reyes-SS, Willie Harris-LF, David Wright-3B, Carlos Beltran-RF, Angel Pagan-CF, Ike Davis-1B, Brad Emaus-2B, Josh Thole-C, Mike Pelfrey-P
MARLINS LINEUP
Chris Coghlan-CF, Omar Infante-2B, Hanley Ramirez-SS, Mike Stanton-RF, Gaby Sanchez-1B, Logan Morrison-LF, John Buck-C, Donnie Murphy-3B, Josh Johnson-P
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Waivers Update And Bay Heading To DL....Maybe
According to Adam Rubin, Nick Evans has cleared waivers and will be sent to Triple-A Buffalo. Luis Hernandez also cleared waivers and must decide whether to go to Buffalo or enter free agency.
According to David Lennon, Jason Bay is most likely heading to the disabled list, and Lucas Duda will take his place on the roster.
To sum it up: Evans is going to Buffalo, Hernandez might be going to Buffalo, or anywhere else for that matter, Bay is in New York for tests, and Duda is most likely heading to Miami in his place.
Let the games begin.
According to David Lennon, Jason Bay is most likely heading to the disabled list, and Lucas Duda will take his place on the roster.
To sum it up: Evans is going to Buffalo, Hernandez might be going to Buffalo, or anywhere else for that matter, Bay is in New York for tests, and Duda is most likely heading to Miami in his place.
Let the games begin.
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