The Comeback Kid is on the mound while the Mets take on the Tigers at Tradition Field.
First inning:
Well, Pudge Rodriguez leads off with a single off the first pitch from Pedro Martinez. Dandy. And one the next pitch, Martinez gets a perfect double-play ground ball. 2 pitches. 2 outs. Pedro's up to 88 mph in the first inning here. Is it me, or does he look a lot thinner from the waist down? Miguel Cabrera works the count 3-2 before popping up to Brady Clark. Pedro looked great in the top of the first. He was flustered a little bit on some close calls on the outside of the plate, but busted Cabrera in and eventually jammed him enough to get him to pop up to right.
Jose Reyes needs to stop trying to run up and "butcher boy" the ball. He has enough pop in his bat, and speed to match, that he just needs to put the ball on the ground. Reyes cracks one to deep right, it bounces off the base of the wall and Reyes is into third with a stand up triple to lead off the game. Luis Castillo knows exactly what he needs to do to get the runs in, as he chops one to second to bring in Reyes easily. That's what I love about Castillo, he's willing to sacrifice for the team. David Wright rips one to his third base counterpart, who makes a diving stab and throw. Carlos Beltran, the DH today, walks on 5 pitches. Carlos Delgado hits one right up the middle, and into the shift, for a fielders choice. All Delgado needs to do this year is go the other way more. He does that, the shift goes away, and then he can spray balls all over the field.
Second inning:
Magglio Ordonez is an absolute beast. He crushes a double off the wall in center field. That hair is just too funny. Old friend Timo Perez is up at the plate, and chases a ball low and away from Pedro. Martinez looks very comfortable up on the mound today. And apparently, Pedro is a little too comfortable. On a ground ball to Delgado, Pedro stutters on the mound and can't beat a speedy Perez to the bag. 1st and 3rd, no out. Nice running play by Clark, who makes a running grab in right field, keeping the runners at their bags. A very quick pickoff throw to first from Pedro. He looks very fit and lean on the mound this year. I must be a jinx. Pedro walks the next batter on 4 pitches. Bases loaded, 1 out. Ramon Santiago is up, and Pedro is working the fastball away. Martinez got up to 89 on one pitch. Fastball, low and in gets Santiago looking for his first strikeout of the game. Ground ball to first, and Pedro sprints to first to cover the bag in time. Inning over, no damage done. Great job by Martinez to work his way out of that jam.
Glad to see Marlon Anderson back in the lineup. Crazy that Ryan Church is able to come back from the concussion quicker than Anderson. Ground out to second, Anderson is retired. Again, glad to see Ramon Castro back in the game. Broken bat to left, misplayed by Perez, and he pulled up at first. As soon as he hit the ball, he felt a twinge in his hamstring and will now leave the game. Super! Clark is promptly plunked on the hip, two on, one out. Endy Chavez works out a walk, and the bases are loaded for Reyes. They're piping in the "Jose Jose Jose" chant. Oh, real baseball is almost here. Fly ball to center, Gustavo Molina scores from third, and all the other runners move up on a missed cutoff man. Smart baserunning from Clark and Chavez. Castillo hits the same exact chopper to second base. Inning over, 2-0 Mets.
Third inning:
Pudge rips one to third, and skips past Wright for a single. Three innings, three leadoff hits. One of those dorky guys on the cell phone is standing behind home plate waving to the camera. They crack me up all the time. I must be in The Twilight Zone, because Pudge just tried to steal second base. Molina throws an absolutely perfect ball to second to nail him. A looping 68 mph curveball to get ahead on Cabrera 0-2. That was dirty. Molina and Martinez are having a bit of trouble with the pitches, which is why the Mets need to find a steady, healthy catcher who will be with the team in April. A 74 mph changeup, low and in gets Cabrera swinging. Easily Pedro's best inning.
Wright works a leadoff walk to start the third inning. Update on Brian Schneider: Feeling good and ran the bases today, will be ready for Wednesday's game against the Indians. Beltran grounds one up the middle, tips off the pitchers glove and to the shortstop. Beltran looked like he was running well, but not nearly at full speed as the throw beat him to the bag. Delgado goes the other way again, ripping a double into left. Wright scores easily. 3-0. I think everyone can get off Delgado's back now. Anderson, who actually kept both hands on the bat for his swing, rips a single into right. 1st and 3rd, and that's the day for Yorman Bazardo, who doesn't look happy at all. Molina smokes one right to Cabrera's glove, 2 away for Clark. Broken bat looper to short, while Delgado gets hit by a piece of Clark's bat. It was no Tommy Lasorda tumble, but Delgado hit the deck but still got nailed by the bat in the right arm.
Fourth inning:
Delgado was removed from the game. Pretty deep cut into his right arm. Anderson has moved to first. Pedro works Ordonez beauitifully, fanning him on a curveball. Perez quickly pops up to Wright. A 2-2 curveball from Pedro goes behind the ducking head of the batter and nearly hits the bat. A tough AB between Pedro and Brett Cleven, with Martinez winning as he gets Cleven to pop out to center. 1-2-3 inning for Martinez.
Final line for Pedro: 4 innings, 4 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts. I'll take it.
Missed that first out, bloggers have to potty too! Pedro will do a "naked belly dance" (I think) to try and prevent more injuries to the Mets. Sounds good to me. Reyes pops out to left, 2 away. Quick inning for the Mets, down 1-2-3.
Fifth inning:
Matt Wise coming into the game for the Mets. Wise has looked spectacular in relief for the Mets so far. I really like his stuff. Two changeups for strikes and Wise gets Hollimon swinging for his first out. The bunt is popped into the air and Wise makes a amazing diving grab for the out. Oh man, one of the best plays so far this spring. Great stuff from Wise. Guzman strikes out swinging. Amazing inning from Wise. Two K's and a defensive gem with the diving grab.
This will be my last inning as I have to pack up everything to head back to Connecticut. Game recap will be up later tonight.
Wright pulls one to Santiago at short, 1 away. Beltran pops one up to center field, 2 out. Jamar Hill up for the Mets. I have no idea who that is. Hill quickly pops one up to left.
Enjoy the rest of the game!
No comments:
Post a Comment