The Mets won their first game of 2008 with a seven to two final over the Florida Marlins. Johan Santana, Angel Pagan, Ryan Church, Brian Schneider and Matt Wise made their Mets debuts.
5 Points
1. Santana was perfect through three but lost his momentum after a two-strike pitch right down the middle was called a ball to Hanley Ramirez, which led to a walk. Santana pitched seven innings, K'd eight, walked two and allowed only three hits. His only mistake was a high fastball to Josh Willingham, which became a two-run homer.
2. Luis Castillo looked great. He reached base three times in the game with two walks and a perfect bunt. He was also on his game defensively and stole the first base of the Mets 2008 season.
3. The Mets were patient at the plate during the game -- a problem that plagued them at the end of 2007. The Mets drew five walks in total and only struck out three times.
4. The bullpen was sharp today in relief of Santana. Matt Wise came on in the 8th and struggled a bit, but Scott Schoeneweiss and Jorge Sosa stranded both runners he let reach base. Aaron Heilman came in to pitch the ninth and recorded two strikeouts in a perfect inning.
5. The Mets offense was relatively quiet throughout the game, but exploded for six runs in the fourth inning, which included a three-run double from David Wright.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Opening Day roster
The Mets Opening Day roster was completed on Sunday and it included a few surprises. Pitchers Orlando Hernandez and Duaner Sanchez and catcher Ramon Castro were not included on the roster due to injuries, instead the three players will be placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Hernandez, delayed by a bunion, temporarily surrenders his 5th spot in the rotation to 24-year old Mike Pelfrey, the Mets top pitching prospect.
Sanchez, still recovering from prior surgeries which have cost him the past season and a half, will spend more time working out in warmer weather and under less pressure until he is considered 100 percent. Sophomore Joe Smith will take his spot, making the team for the second straight year out of spring training.
Castro, who strained his right hamstring during spring training, will likely miss the first two weeks of the season. Raul Casanova will take his spot as the backup catcher.
25-man roster for opening day:
Starting Pitchers: Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, Oliver Perez, John Maine and Mike Pelfrey
Bullpen Pitchers: Scott Schoeneweiss, Jorge Sosa, Matt Wise, Joe Smith, Pedro Feliciano, Aaron Heilman and Billy Wagner
Catchers: Brian Schneider and Raul Casanova
Infielders: Carlos Delgado, Luis Castillo, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Marlon Anderson and Damion Easley
Outfielders: Angel Pagan, Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church, Endy Chavez and Brady Clark
Hernandez, delayed by a bunion, temporarily surrenders his 5th spot in the rotation to 24-year old Mike Pelfrey, the Mets top pitching prospect.
Sanchez, still recovering from prior surgeries which have cost him the past season and a half, will spend more time working out in warmer weather and under less pressure until he is considered 100 percent. Sophomore Joe Smith will take his spot, making the team for the second straight year out of spring training.
Castro, who strained his right hamstring during spring training, will likely miss the first two weeks of the season. Raul Casanova will take his spot as the backup catcher.
25-man roster for opening day:
Starting Pitchers: Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, Oliver Perez, John Maine and Mike Pelfrey
Bullpen Pitchers: Scott Schoeneweiss, Jorge Sosa, Matt Wise, Joe Smith, Pedro Feliciano, Aaron Heilman and Billy Wagner
Catchers: Brian Schneider and Raul Casanova
Infielders: Carlos Delgado, Luis Castillo, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Marlon Anderson and Damion Easley
Outfielders: Angel Pagan, Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church, Endy Chavez and Brady Clark
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)