Game 4; Mets at Braves

The Mets lost their second game of the season today, with an eleven to five defeat at the hands of the Braves. Tim Hudson induced a plethora of ground balls and John Maine simply struggled to retire batters with an effective pitch count.

5 Points

1. John Maine only lasted four innings, entirely because of a high pitch count, allowed eight hits and walked three batters. Despite recording five strikeouts, Maine allowed four runs --all earned. Maine, who was dominant during the spring, took the loss in his season opener.

2. Carlos Delgado had his best game of the season, driving in a run and scoring two more. He had two hits, including a double and raised his early season average up to .313.

3. David Wright, who went hitless in four at bats, snapped his twenty-game hitting streak, which began last season.

4. Ryan Church and Carlos Beltran continued their hot starts. Each outfielder had two hits in the contest and each scored a run. Both are batting .438 after four games this season.

5. The Mets bullpen struggled today, going four innings and allowing seven earned runs. Jorge Sosa was the biggest victim, giving up a grand slam to Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson.

Game 3; Mets at Marlins

The Mets won game three of the series with the Marlins, leaving them with two wins and one loss as they depart for Atlanta to take on the Braves over the weekend. Every player on the Mets contributed as the team crushed the Marlins thirteen to nothing.

5 Points

1. Oliver Perez threw six shutout innings and struck out eight. So much for that poor spring training. Perez also only allowed five hits and one walk.

2. Ryan Church looked great in the field and even at the plate. He hit the first home run for the Mets, a two-run shot. Church had six total bases in the game.

3. David Wright one upped Church when he hit a three-run home run. Wright led the Mets with seven total bases in the victory.

4. Carlos Beltran finished the game with three doubles, but at least one of those doubles was actually a home run. His first double appeared to be a home run but stayed in the park and led to David Wright being tagged out at home plate. Later Beltran hit a home run that bounced back on to the field after hitting a metal rail beyond the wall, while Beltran was on the bench the umpires called it a ground-rule-double.

5. The Mets' bullpen pitched three scoreless innings. Three relievers, Pedro Feliciano, Nelson Figueroa and Billy Wagner, combined for two strikeouts and just one hit.

Game 2; Mets at Marlins

The Mets lost their second game of the season with a five to four extra inning lost in Miami, Florida. Pedro Martinez started the game, but left in the fourth inning with a right hamstring strain. Martinez is likely bound for the disabled list.

5 Points

1. Martinez didn't really have it tonight. He gave up a long home run in the first inning to Dan Uggla and then let Luis Gonzalez hit a screaming line drive over the fence as well.

2. Brian Schneider had a great game. Schneider had three hits in four at bats, walked once, and even drove in a run. Impressive start for the Mets new backstop.

3. The Mets bullpen was dominating tonight. Jorge Sosa replaced Martinez and threw two and two-thirds shutout innings. Scott Schoeneweiss and Joe Smith then combined to pitch a scoreless seventh inning. Aaron Heilman then pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth inning and Matt Wise began the tenth inning with back-to-back strikeouts before giving up a walk-off home run to Robert Andino.

4. The Mets were once again patient at the plate during the game, walking seven times as a team. Carlos Beltran led the team with two walks.

5. Angel Pagan drove in two runs during the game and now has three runs batted in for the season.