Mets lose in extras to Nats

The New York Mets lost to the Washington Nationals in 10 innings by the score of 7-5 this afternoon. Hisanora Takahashi got the start and pitched 3 innings giving up 4 hits and 4 runs with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. Frankie Rodriguez pitched 2 scoreless innings giving up 2 hits but he had 3 strikeouts. Sean Green pitched a scoreless inning giving up 2 hits and Bobby Parnell did the same. Ryota Igarashi pitched 1 inning giving up 2 hits and 1 run, Kiko Calero pitched 1 1/3 innings giving up 1 hit and 2 runs. He also walked 2 and struck out 2. David Wright was 3-3 with 2 rbi to lead the offense. Alex Cora had 2 hits, Ruben Tejada had a hit and Luis Castillo had a hit and 3 rbi. Jeff Francouer and Omir Santos each had a hit. The Mets will host the St. Louis Cardinals tomorrow afternoon at 1:00PM on WPIX. Jose Reyes is hoping to make it back for opening day but is doubtful, I think that is ok as long as he can come back shortly after that, even a couple of weeks wouldn't be bad.

Yanks have Rough Day in Sarasota

The New York Yankees lost to the Baltimore Orioles today in Sarasota by the score of 8-0. The Yankees starter was Alfredo Aceves who had been pitching so well this spring. He had a very rough day, I wonder if he was affected at all by the news that Hughes won the 5th starter competition and he will compete now for a job in the bullpen. He pitched into the third inning but didn't record an out, he gave up 6 runs on 6 hits with 2 walks. Boone Logan gave up a run in 1 inning but 0 hits, walks or strikeouts. Sergio Mitre pitched well, he went 2 innings giving up 2 hits and 1 run with a walk. The run that scored was on a double play ball but second baseman Robinson Cano was going to cover second base and the ball got through for a RBI single. Chan Ho Park continues to impress with 2 scoreless innings. He gave up 2 hits and had 2 strikeouts. David Robertson finished out the pitching with a scoreless inning. He gave up a hit and walk and also had a strikeout. The offense didn't do much of anything, Randy Winn led the charge with 3 hits. Derek Jeter and Ramiro Pena each had a hit and that was it for the offense. Alex Rodriguez had a walk but struck out twice, some wonder if he was distracted by his meeting tommorrow in Buffalo with the Feds. Francisco Cervelli also drew a walk. The Yankees will play the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow night at 7:00PM. The game is at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The game will not be broadcast on TV. Joba Chamberlain is scheduled to make a relief appearance on Saturday, Joe Girardi said today just because they didn't win the 5th starter spot doesn't mean the other guys will head right to the bullpen. He said they still have to earn it and it is not a lock that Joba is the 8th inning guy. I don't see Joba not being that guy and eventual replacement for MO now and I am sure he is going to take the bull by the horns and go out and dominate in his single innings the rest of the spring. I just think he is built best for that job and he should flourish in the setup role like he did when he first came up.

Yankees look ready for opening day

The New York Yankees had their starting lineup in the game today and Javier Vazquez started and went into the 7th inning. The Yankees won the game by the score of 3-1 and appear to be ready for opening day which is less then 2 weeks away. Vazquez went 6 innings giving up 4 hits and 1 run. He didn't walk anyone and struck out 6 batters. Damaso Marte came in to pitch a inning and allowed a hit with a strikeout. Mariano Rivera had another scoreless inning allowing a hit with 2 strikeouts. Mark Melancon got the save with a perfect ninth inning, he had 2 strikeouts. The Yankees didn't score a lot of runs but they did what they needed to do. Nick Johnson had a hit and a walk. A-rod was 2-3 with 2 rbi, I think his hip is good as he had a rbi triple in the game. Robinson Cano was 1-1 with a rbi and Francisco Cervelli was 1-1. Curtis Granderson was 1-2 with a walk and Nick Swisher was 1-3. Brett Gardner was also 1-3. The Yankees will play the Baltimore Orioles tomorrow afternoon at 1:00PM, the game is not on TV. Here are some of the pregame notes that came out of the media session with Joe Girardi. Chad Jennings had all the information at http://yankees.lhblogs.com

• Joe Girardi said that they haven't made a decision on the 5th starter yet. He said he isn't sure if they will announce it tomorrow either. He said he is meeting with the staff tonight. He said he thinks that everyone has a feeling but that he wants to listen to their opinions before he formulates a decision. He said it is the right thing to do. I agree with him but I think it will be pretty unanimous for Phil Hughes.

• He said that he hasn't decided on Granderson in center either although he was there tonight. Joel Sherman tweeted that this decision was made and I believe him but Girardi said this isn't the case. Maybe they didn't tell the players yet and that is why he is saying that. I would guess it will be Granderson though with Gardner in left. It is easier to move him out of left and get someone else if he doesn't perform.

• Girardi said the only other decisions are should they carry a second lefty in the pen? Who is going to be the right handed bat off of the bench? I don't see who else it would be other then Marcus Thames unless a wild card makes it but I doubt it. I don't think they will carry the second lefty with Mitre, Aceves going to the pen.

• This is what Girardi said about Doc Goodens arrest "Your heart goes out to him, I don't have any details, that is the first I have heard of it, but your heart goes out to him. He was a great teammate. Doc and I will always be linked because we played on a championship team and had a no-hitter together. If you didn't know it was the 1996 season. I loved playing with Doc, he was great to be around and a great teammate. You hope that everything is ok."

• Alfredo Aceves will start the game tomorrow with Amaury Sanit, Dave Robertson, Chan Ho Park, Sergio Mitre and Zack Segovia all scheduled to make the trip. Almost all position players are making the trip, the only ones who aren't going are Curtis Granderson, Jorge Posada, Mike Rivera and Brett Gardner.

Jose Reyes returns to Camp and Mets win game

I apologize I have been saying Tradition Field, the Mets changed the name the other day. The Mets spring training home is now known as Digital Domain Park. The Mets defeated the Houston Astros there this afternoon by the score of 5-2. Johan Santana made the start and pitched pretty well, he seemed to run out of steam at the end out his outing. He pitched 5 2/3 innings allowing 2 runs on 8 hits with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Jon Niese and Elmer Dessens combined for 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Francisco Rodriguez struck out the side for the save in the ninth inning. Daniel Murphy who has struggled this spring had a good day. He was 2-4 with a 2 run homerun. Angel Pagan was 1-4 and Fernando Tatis was 1-1 with a rbi. David Wright was 1-3, Rod Barajas was 1-2 and Frank Catalanotto was 1-1. The Mets will travel to Jupiter tomorrow to take on the St. Louis Cardinals. Here is the news from today, it is basically about J0se Reyes. According to SNY producer Matt Dunn Jose Reyes said he was told by doctors he had a virus which caused the elevated thyroid levels. He is on diet restrictions now such as no seafood. He said he is taking things one day at a time but will work as hard as he can to be ready as soon as possible. He said he needs to see how his legs respond though. He was asked how it felt to be back and he said that he feels better then he thought he would after spending 20 days laying on the couch watching TV. He said he was disappointed when he heard the news about his thyroid and wanted to be with his teammates but this was about his life. He said he can't wait to get into a game, that he is excited and is going to be like a little kid. He said he expects to be a little sore tomorrow but felt good going through the workouts today. He fielded grounders, ran, hit and threw to first base. Reyes said while home he spent time with his family, watched a lot of TV including the Mets games that were on TV. I think the Mets need to take it slow with him but this is great news. It seems like he will be ready for opening day and if not it won't be too long after that. The Mets just having him back around feel better about themselves and that is a good thing.

Grapefruit League Game 20-Nationals at Yankees

The New York Yankees will take on the Washington Nationals tonight at 7:05PM at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Here is todays lineup via Chad Jennings of the Journal News, this is a second look at what most likely will be the Opening Day Lineup. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Johnson(DH) Teixeira(1B) Rodriguez(3B) Cano(2B) Posada(C) Granderson(CF) Swisher(RF) Gardner(LF) Javier Vazquez is making his fourth start of the spring. Mariano Rivera, Mark Melancon, Zack Segovia, Boone Logan and Damaso Marte are also available to pitch. Here are some of the pregame notes. Scheduled to come off the bench tonight are: P.J. Pilittere(C), Juan Miranda(1B), Kevin Russo(2B), Ramiro Pena(SS), Francisco Cervelli(3B), Jon Weber(LF), Greg Golson(CF), David Winfree(RF). Yes Cervelli is playing third, I know its strange. Cervelli played first base way back in 2003. He has never played third base before, not even in the minor leagues. He does take ground balls there routinely though as the Yankees like to have all of their catchers get reps at the corners. The Yankees brought up minor leaguers Luis Nunez(Infielder) and Ryan Baker(C) for the game as backups. Here is the Nationals lineup tonight and on the traveling roster are former Yankees Alberto Gonzalez(SS), Brian Bruney(P), Tyler Clippard(P), and Wil Nieves(C). Nationals Lineup: Roger Bernadina(LF) Christian Guzman(SS) Willie Harris(3B) Josh Whitesell(1B) Justin Maxwell(CF) Adam Kennedy(2B) Ian Desmond(DH) Wil Nieves(C) Willy Taveras(RF) Starting pitcher is Livan Hernandez. This is a pretty no name lineup, there are some names you should know but not much firepower. The game is not on radio or TV tonight so check back later tonight or tomorrow morning if you don't stay up late for the recap and postgame notes.