New York Mets Recap and some Notes

The New York Mets lost to the Minnesota Twins today by the score of 7-3. Johan Santana started for the Mets and he wasn't good over 3 1/3 innings. He gave up 5 runs and 9 hits. He was pitching so well before this so I wouldn't get too crazy over it. Sean Green pitched 2/3 of an inning allowing 2 hits and 1 run. Bobby Parnell pitched 2 innings giving up a hit but 0 runs. He did have a strikeout. Pat Misch pitched 2 scoreless, hitless innings. He did give up a walk but also had 2 strikeouts. Jenrry Mejia gave up a hit and run in 1 inning, he did work out of a jam though. I think it is good for him to struggle a little and then see how he bounces back from it. Jason Bay was 2-2 raising his spring average to 357, Ruben Tejada was 2-5 with 2 doubles. Daniel Murphy and Jeff Francoeur were 0-7 combined though and left 11 men on base. Fernando Martinez had a hit, Russ Adams had a hit and rbi. Omir Santos had a hit, rbi and walk and Sean Riggans had a hit. Pat Misch has a 9 inning scoreless streak going. The Mets play the Cardinals in Jupiter tomorrow at 1:05PM. Kevin Burkhardt of SNY said today during the telecast according to Matthew Cerrone that Kelvim Escobar won't start throwing until April after the Mets break camp. You can check out Matthews blog at http://metsblog.com It is a great Mets blog, he does a great job, there is lots of audio and video and everything you need to know about the Mets.

New York Mets First Day Of Camp

Jerry Manuel met with reporters this afternoon for the first time this season. He mentioned that he would like to bat Jose Reyes third. I don't know about anyone else but I don't think this is a good idea. He is a good leadoff hitter that sparks the lineup. I think if you hit him third he may change his approach and it wouldn't be for the better, he would try to hit more homeruns in my opinion plus you take away his stealing game. I think you have to keep him as the leadoff hitter. To Reyes credit he said it doesn't matter to him, he just wants to be playing and helping his team win games. He said that Jerry Manuel just mentioned it yesterday and even if he does it, it will only be until Carlos Beltran returns. He said he is the boss so whatever he decides he will go along with it. Jerry said that Jon Niese can be the fifth starter if he pitches the way he did last summer. He said Daniel Murphy is the starting first baseman, I assumed that but now it is confirmed. He wants a power bat off the bench like the Phillies had with Matt Stairs even if the player isn't able to play multiple positions like Mike Jacobs. Henry Blanco is the backup catcher and Alex Cora is the backup shortstop. You can see a video of Jerry Manuels press conference at http://metsblog.com/category/video Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News spoke with Kelvim Escobar who expressed little concern about being ready for opening day and the rigors of pitching everyday out of the bullpen.