Mets lose their first grapefruit league game

The New York Mets lost to the Atlanta Braves today at Disneys Wide World Of Sports. The final score was 9-5, the Mets spring record is now even at 1-1. Pat Misch got the start for the Mets and was impressive pitching 3 scoreless innings, he did give up a couple of walks. He only allowed one hit. Eric Niesen pitched 2 scoreless innings giving up a hit and a walk. Eddie Kunz didn't fare so well giving up 4 runs and 2 hits in 1/3 of an inning. He also gave up 3 walks, his era stands at a horrible 108.00. Josh Stinson pitched 1 2/3 innings giving up 3 hits and 5 runs with a strikeout. Only one of the runs was earned. Neal Musser pitched 1 inning giving up a hit and a walk but no runs. I don't know any of these guys except for Misch and Kunz. Angel Pagan, Josh Thole and Daniel Murphy all had rbi singles. Fernando Martinez had a rbi triple. He had a good day going 2 for 3. Mike Cervenak had a rbi single. The Mets committed four errors in the seventh inning, I thought they were working on fundamentals, that is pretty hard to do. Matthew Cerrone has some video and pictures from todays action. He also has a good interview with Gary Matthews Jr. It can all be found at http://metsblog.com. The Mets will take on the St. Louis Cardinals at 1:00PM tomorrow in Port St. Lucie at Tradition Field.

Some Mets News

Carlos Beltran arrived in Port St. Lucie today and spoke about being upset with the situation with the injury for about a week. He said it took him that long to get over it but he knows he has to get back with the team and help them win and everything will be ok. He is going to rehab with the team which is a good thing, he can help some of the younger guys. He said there is now no pain in the knee and he is positive and happy with how the surgery went. Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated is saying that Jerry Manuel isn't kidding and until Carlos Beltran comes back Jose Reyes will be batting third. Jenrry Menjia who is a 20 year old kid is drawing buzz today. He threw yesterday and they said he has an electric arm. Jerry Manuel wouldn't rule him out to be the 8th inning guy. I think it is wrong to rush him, he hasn't pitched above double A and he did struggle there some, he is also a starter and could be a top of the rotation guy. Jerry Manuel felt that K-rod threw well today in his bullpen, he said he had a life on his pitches. He said that Kelvim Escobar hasn't been cleared to do anything other then pitchers fielding practice and light workouts which he has been doing. He said that if Beltran wasn't injured Reyes batting third wouldn't be an issue. He also said he spoke with Beltran but only about how he was doing as a person, he will later discuss how he is doing physically.

Baseball is Back-Almost

Today marks the last day of the offseason. Who would of thought we would of made it to spring training and Johnny Damon still doesn't have a team although it appears he and the Tigers are getting closer. The New York Yankees will officially open up spring training tommorrow with pitchers and catchers reporting at 10:00AM, manager Joe Girardi will address the media at 12 Noon. It has changed from years past where all the players really have to do is call and say they are in the area, a lot of the players have been trickling in at the minor league complex since last week. Here are the last few notes from pre spring training and then tommorrow it will be full coverage all day everyday of the Yankees and Mets so please check back often for news and opinion. I hope you will all come here and start debates and talk about different aspects of the season. I am always open to suggestions and opinions and it doesn't matter if you agree with me or not. I can be reached through the comments here or email at gmarchesej@aol.com. I thank everyone for all the support and lets have a great season. The New York Mets don't report until Thursday. Chien-Ming Wang officially signed with the Washington Nationals today, he will have a press conference on Friday. Here are the pre-spring training workout notes from today. CC Sabathia talked to the media today and stated he has only thrown 2 bullpen sessions so far and he usually has thrown 5. He stated he isn't too worried about catching up. He will throw one tomorrow when he reports to camp. He also stated he does plan on taking his teammates to Orlando Magic games during spring training, he already has the tickets so whoever is up for it come see him and he is ready to go. He also talked about being hungry for more and recruiting Lebron James to come play for the New York Knicks. Brett Gardner took batting practice and looked good. Everyone is saying how scruffy he is looking, I can't wait to see him. Derek Jeter, Francisco Cervelli, Ramiro Pena and Curtis Granderson also took batting pratctice. Most of the coaching staff was in attendance. Dave Robertson, A.J. Burnett, CC Sabathia and Javier Vazquez did some throwing. It was a rather cool day in Florida with temps in the 40's and 50's still much better then being here in the snow though.

Yankees Pre Spring Training Workout

Several of the New York Yankees are down in Tampa for pre spring training workouts at the minor league complex. Curtis Granderson arrived today according to Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News and he did some fly catching drills today in center with Brett Gardner. Rob Thomson the third base coach was the one running the drills. A. J. Burnett played catch today and Chad Gaudin, Alfredo Aceves, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Boone Logan and Dave Robertson were all spotted today. Curtis Granderson also got in live batting practice with Francisco Cervelli, Derek Jeter and Eduardo Nunez. He said he doesn't care if he is in center or left or where he bats in the lineup. He seems like a great guy and I am sure he is going to fit in just fine with this team. Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes threw bullpen sessions only a few yards away from each other side by side today which is pretty ironic since they will be battling for the 5th starter spots. The workouts will really get going at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Thursday with pitcher and catchers but on Wed they will all be reporting. Hang in there everyone as the long journey is about to begin, remember to keep checking back as I will have daily coverage of both the New York Yankees and New York Mets as they go through spring training and into the season.

Yankees Winter League Players

Here are some of the stats released by the Yankees on their winter league participants. INF Reegie Corona is hitting 324 with 17 doubles, 2 homeruns and 17 rbi in 43 games in the Venezualan winter league. He ranks first in the league in doubles and leads all Yankees winter league hitters wiht 27 walks. He could find himself trying to win the utility infielder role out of spring training. RHP Josh Schmidt in the Venezualan winter league is 2-5 with a 3.65 era(28er,69IP) in 15 games(12 starts). He ranks first in the league with 63 strikeouts is tied for second in innings pitched and ranks fourth in WHIP(1.22). He is the only VWL pitcher to have recorded a complete game thius season with his 7 inning, 10 strikeout shutout on 11/24(1H,3BB). INF Juan Miranda finished the regular season batting 409 with 5 doubles, 2 homeruns and 11 rbi in 13 games in the Dominican Winter League. OF Jamie Hoffman batted 235 with 5 doubles and 5 rbi in 21 games with the Dominican winter league. He hit safely in 10 of his last 14 games. INF Brandon Laird was named the 2009 Arizona Fall League Top Prospects team. He hit 333 with 15 extra base hits(9doubles, 6 homeruns) and 24 rbi in 22 games with the Surpise Rafters. He finished tied for second in the league in homeruns, tied for third in both doubles and extra-base hits and ranked fifth in RBI. OF Colin Curtis also with Suprise batted 397 with 5 homeruns and 18 rbi. He finished the season as the league leader in slugging percentage(731) and ranked second in both on-base percentage(472) and batting average. He hit safely in 17 of his 20 games played.

Yankees at Jays

The New York Yankees take on the Toronto Blue Jays in game 1 of 4 tonight at 7:00PM on the YES network. The Yankees enter the game having won 6 in a row and 23 of their last 29 overall. They are 7 1/2 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox in first place in the AL East and 6 1/2 ahead of the Anaheim Angels for homefield advantage. They are creeping ever closer to clinching the 1 seed in the postseason. Here are the pregame notes and lineup via Peter Abraham and his Lohud Yankees Blog. The Blue Jays were 27-14 on May 18 and in first place by 3 1/2 games. They have gone 32-59 since that point. They have lost 3 straight, 6 of 7 and 14 of their last 18. The Yankees have a run differential of +141 which is the best in the majors but according to the formula they should have 79 wins. Derek Jeter is 9 hits away from breaking Lou Gehrig's hits record. The Yankees have 208 homeruns, at this pace they would hit 253 which would break the franchise record which is 242 by the 2004 team. The major league record is 264 by the 1997 Seattle Mariners. Johnny Damon has a 7 game hitting streak and is now hitting 293. A-rod has hit safely in 11 straight batting 419 during the stretch. He has 11 rbi's and his batting avg has climbed from 254 to 274. Phil Hughes who is the closer for now until Mo comes back has a 1.14 era in 31 relief appearances. In his last 10 outings he has pitched 10 innings giving up 0 runs, 3 walks and 14 strikeouts. I think he could be a dominant reliever but he needs to be a starter next yr and the only thing will be the innings, will it be like Joba this year. The Yankees have outscored their opponents 47-14 in the 6 game winning streak. Derek Jeter is only 3 of his last 13 and Hideki Matsui is 4 of his last 24 with 2 rbi's. Melky Cabrera has broken out of his slump going 10 fo his last 24 and now batting 274. Jon Albaladejo was called up today. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Teixeira(1B) Rodriguez(3B) Matsui(DH) Posada(C) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF)

Yankees at A's

The New York Yankees begin a 3 game series with the Oakland A's tonight in Oakland at 10:05PM on the YES network. A.J. Burnett is on the mound against Brett Tomko who was released from the Yankees in June, he was pretty bitter at the time so I am sure he will be pumped up for tonight. He was pitching in AAA though and didn't have great numbers for Oakland but they are desperate for pitching right now. Here are the pregame notes and lineup via the Lohud Yankees Blog. The Yankees are 5-1 against Oakland this year and 10-2 over the last 2 years. Robinson Cano has a 14 game hitting streak. He has gone from batting 305 to 321. A.J. Burnett is 6-2 with a 2.50 era in his last 11 starts. He is 2-2 with a 4.14 lifetime against the A's. Burnett has thrown 17 wild pitches this season, the team record is 23 by Tim Leary in 1990. Those were the good old days LOL. Brian Bruney has thrown 5 straight scoreless innings and David Robertson has gone 6 straight. The Yankees are 12-3 this month. Nick Swisher has 20 homeruns and 17 have come on the road. 13 of them have come against righties. Derek Jeter is 8 of 16 on this trip. He has 5 rbi's and 3 xbh. He is now batting 323. Jerry Hairston Jr's. next game will be the 1,00th of his career. Alfredo Aceves has been struggling going 15 2/3 innings, 15 hits, 12 runs with 4 walks and 11 strikeouts in his last 9 appearances. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(DH) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Posada(C) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF) Pena(SS) There is news about the draft picks who have to midnight tonight to come to terms, the Yankees have signed 13 of their top 14 picks and more, I will have more on this later on tonight.

Another sweep as streak hits 9

Joba Chamberlain started and didn't make it through the first inning but not due to ineffectiveness rather taking a shot off the knee. X-rays are negative though and it was diagnosed as a bruised knee, he should make his next start. Alfredo Aceves came in to get the last out of the first and pitch the next 3 innings giving up 0 runs on 3 hits with a walk and strikeout. Jon Albaladejo pitched 2 1/3 innings giving up 4 runs and 5 hits with 2 strikeouts. Jose Veras pitched 1 2/3 innings giving up 2 hits and nothing else and MO pitched the ninth for the save. It was a 1-2-3 inning for MO with a strikeout. The offense was led by Robinson Cano who had 3 hits and 3 rbi's batting in the #2 hole. Derek Jeter had a hit and a walk, Big Tex had 2 hits a walk and rbi. Hideki Matsui hit a solo homerun and Nick Swisher had a hit and 2 walks. Melky Cabrera had a hit and 2 rbi's. The Yankees broke out to a big lead and Aceves looked great when he was out there but as soon as he came out it got interesting. Phil Coke wasn't available tonight but should be tomorrow and the Yankees haven't used Bruney in 2 nights which I find interesting. The Yankees will begin a 3 game series to close out their homestand with Philadelphia tomorrow. A.J. Burnett will be on the hill against Brett Myers. A.J. needs to get back in the winning column here, he pitched really well last time out but didn't get any run support.

Non Arod Talk Wow

I am so happy to finally be writing about something non Arod related. I am saying this though and still mentioning Arod, we just can't escape from it. I am going to get to it now that thats out of my system. I want to thank Peter Abraham for this information, Brian Bruney and Jonathan Albaladejo were both at the workout this morning. Brian Bruney was still trim and looked great, Pete thinks he will be a big part of the puzzle and so do I. A lot of people forget that he was hurt for most of the year last year and when he did pitch he was dominating. I expect Bruney to be the main setup guy at least at the beginning for MO. Albaladejo was definitely a forgotten man, he pitched pretty well before he got hurt and had an absolutely great winter season. I think he is in the mix amongst the other bullpen arms. The Yankees are really stacked in the bullpen and it will be a great race to see who makes it out of spring training other then MO,Bruney,Marte. There is some good news about Jorge Posada, he has been showing good pop in the batting cage and also it seems to be a good sign that he is coming up and throwing out of the crouch. The Yankees of course will be cautious with him but he should be ready to go on opening day.