New York Mets Recap and Postgame Notes

The New York Mets defeated the St. Louis Cardinals at Tradition Field by the score of 6-5 today. The starting pitcher was Fernando Nieve and he pitched 3 innings giving up 5 hits and 2 runs. He also walked 1 and didn't strike out a batter. The offensive star was Angel Pagan who hit a 2 run walkoff homerun for the victory. Here is how the other players performed. Pitching wise Jon Niese was the worst of who pitched today. His line was: 3 innings giving up 4 hits and 3 runs, only 2 were earned and he did strike out a couple. Sean Green, Pat Misch and Francisco Rodriguez all pitched scoreless innings. K-rod had a perfect inning with a strikeout in his debut. Sean Green walked 2 batters but didn't give up a hit and Pat Misch had a walk but gave up no hits. Luis Castillo had a hit, Ruben Tejada had 2 hits and a rbi. David Wright and Mike Jacobs each had a hit and Jason Bay and Fernando Martinez each had 2 hits. Fernando Martinez also had 2 rbi. Jeff Francoeur had a hit, rbi and walk. Francisco Rodriguez was sporting new goggles and told Adam Rubin of the NY Daily News after the game he has to get used to them. According to Gary Cohen Fernando Martinez will start the season in the minors. He said this during todays broadcast and said that GM Omar Minaya said this.

Grapefruit League Game 14-St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets

Here is the lineup for todays game that is just starting. The lineup is courtesy of Matthew Cerrone and his metsblog.com. Luis Castillo(2B) Ruben Tejada(SS) David Wright(3B) Mike Jacobs(1B) Jason Bay(LF) Fernando Martinez(CF) Jeff Francoeur(RF) Rod Barajas(C) Fernando Nieve is making the start. Jon Niese, Francisco Rodriguez,Pat Misch,Sean Green,Tobi Stoner and Elmer Dessens are all scheduled to pitch also. Francisco Rodriguez is making his spring debut today. The Mets made their first cuts of the spring today. Here is the list of who was reassigned to minor league camp. Josh Thole Shawn Bowman Eric Niesen Jack Egbert Josh Fogg R.A. Dickey Travis Blackley Bobby Livingston Arturo Lopez Eddie Kunz Andy Green Mike Hessman Mike Cervenak Jesus Feliciano Luis Hernandez Clint Everts Kirk Nieuwenhuis I heard a disturbing thing today. John Maine pitched poorly in relief yesterday and afterwards said he just wasn't that into it. I understand your a starter and all of that but you haven't been healthy in a couple of years. I think you need to be into whatever the team asks you to do. This is very discouraging to the Mets and their fans. He claims it was a waste of a day for him, being up, down, up, down.

Mets win yesterday lose 2 games today

The New York Mets defeated the Detroit Tigers yesterday by the score of 9-1. Oliver Perez pitched 4 shutout innings which is a good sign. According to the NY Post today though he didn't pitch as good as it looks. There was a ball hit that would of been a 3 run homerun but the wind held it up and his velocity was in the low 90s. The Mets are trying to teach him less is more though and with him any progress is good. I would take it as a good sign right now. Jenrry Mejia pitched another scoreless inning. He did give up a run in the 8th though. The Mets also had 4 homeruns, Gary Matthews Jr., David Wright,Jason Bay and Daniel Murphy. Hisanori Takahashi had another good outing as he pitched 3 innings allowing 1 hit and he struck out 3. Luis Castillo had a rbi single. Jon Heyman says that of all the prospects Mejia has the best chance to go North with the team, I have a feeling they are going to make him the 8th inning guy. I think this would be a mistake rushing him like this. I think it is different in Florida then New York and he will find that out quickly. The Mets lost 2 games today to the Florida Marlins. They lost 7-0 and 5-1. Johan Santana threw 4 shutout innings today. R.A. Dickey allowed 4 runs but only 2 were earned. Nelson Figueroa had another scoreless inning in relief. He is having a very good spring. John Maine was terrible lasting 2/3 of an inning and giving up 5 runs. He also walked 3 but says that his shoulder feels fine. He may just need some time, he hasn't pitched really in a couple of years. Kiko Calero made his debut and pitched a scoreless inning. Luis Castillo had a couple of hit and Jason Bay had a hit. Castillo is having a strong spring and maybe last year wasn't a fluke and he will have another good year. Francoeur and Cora each had a hit. The Mets will be at home tomorrow to take the Cardinals at 1:10PM.

New York Yankees Notes

CC Sabathia is fine, the ball hit his glove, he also said this is the best he has felt all spring. He is just going to fine tune some things now to get ready for the season. The Yankees reassigned 9 guys to minor league camp yesterday and 2 more today. Here are the names: Jose Gil,Grant Duff,Kyle Higashioka,Andrew Brackman,D.J. Mitchell,Christian Garcia,Kevin Whelan,Wilkens Arias,Kei Igawa,Wilken De La Rosa and Jeremy Bleich. It does look like Nick Johnson will be the number 2 hitter this year. Joe Girardi said "Nick really fits that bill,being the on-base percentage guy. But we have to look at how the whole lineup works. When you look at what Nick does, he really fits that area." Joe Girardi said this morning that 3 guys are getting a look as a right handed outfielder. They are Jaime Hoffman,David Winfree and Marcus Thames. I like Thames chances with his experience and I would say Hoffman has a better chance then Winfree with him being the Rule 5 guy but we will see what they decide. I don't have any other notes from the game, but I will either have some later or tomorrow depending on when I get my internet service back again. Tomorrow will be a good day to catch up with the Yankees having a off day.

CC survives a scare as Yanks lose to Pirates

It appears the New York Yankees dodged a bullet in losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-5 this afternoon. It wasn't that they lost the game but it had appeard that ace CC Sabathia was hit on the hand by a line drive. He did come out of the game but it looks like he is fine. He pitched 4 1/3 innings giving up 3 runs on 3 hits with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. I didn't get to see the game as my cable is out but it appears his command was a little off again. Jon Albaladejo who will probably be sent down in the next round of cuts was bad again. He pitched 2/3 of an inning giving up 3 hits and 3 runs. He also walked a batter. Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless inning giving up a hit. He did strike out two batters. I still think he can be this years version of Dave Robertson. He has had a pretty good spring. Nick Johnson continued his hot spring with a solo homerun and a walk. Kevin Russo had a hit and Marcus Thames and David Winfree each had a hit. Those 2 guys are attempting to make the team as a 5th outfielder along with Jaime Hoffman. I would think Thames has the upper hand at this point with his experience but we will see. Greg Golson had a hit and 2 rbi and Randy Winn had a hit. The Yankees have a day off tomorrow and on Tuesday they should have their regular lineup in. Mariano Rivera will also make his debut on Tuesday.