test blog: Live Game Commentary: Orioles at Mets

This is a decaf version of the usual live game thread...

First inning:

3 pitches, 2 outs for Johan Santana. I like what I see.
A strikeout to end the inning on a ball practically in the dirt. Thats a hot start. I saw him dial it up to 90, but may have missed if anything went higher.

Jose Reyes did it again. He hit a chopping ball down the first base line, and thinking the ball might go foul, just stood in the batters box, waiting. Luckily the ball got by, and into the O's bullpen, as Reyes jogged to second. He needs to run first and ask questions later.
Luis Castillo is trying very hard to lay down a bunt to move Reyes to third, but keeps fouling it off. He eventually slaps one to third, and Aubrey Huff dropped the throw, while Reyes moves to third. 1st and 3rd, no out.
Shallow pop up to right by David Wright, too close for Reyes to try and sprint home.
Carlos Beltran pulls a 3-1 ball under the diving glove of Huff, Reyes comes home. Beltran is looking pretty healthy and comfortable (knock on wood).
Wild pitch allows the runners to advance, with Carlos Delgado at the plate. 3-0 count on him. And he walks to load the bases with 1 out...
For Ryan Church. Who promptly grounds into an inning ending double play on his first pitch.

Second inning:

Man, Santana is smoking tonight. I didn't even see the first out. Again.
3-1 count, and a can of corn to right field for the second out.
And there goes the no hitter, as Santana gives up a single. Still, I think so far, of all nights, Santana has his best stuff tonight. He's pumping his fastball in there, that last one got up to 91 mph.
The changeup is also spot on tonight, as he gets it down to 77 mph for the strikeout to end the inning. So sweet.

I've come to notice that Pedro Martinez enjoys wearing polo shirts on his off days.
Here comes Robinson Cancel who might break north with the team if one, or both, of the catchers isn't healthy enough to go. He pops out for the first out of the inning.
Endy Chavez quickly grounds out.
Johan quickly 0-2, rips a double into the gap. I freakin' love this guy.
Reyes serves one over to right over the second baseman's head. Santana comes around to score, the throw is cutoff on the infield, and they gun down Reyes trying to stretch it to a double.

Third inning:

Pizza break. 2 outs, one on. Santana walked him.
Santana gives up a double to left, and Chavez shows off his arm, again, and almost guns down the runner at second. 2nd and 3rd, 2 away.
He somehow got out of it while I was throwing away my pizza.

Castillo bounces out the the pitcher for the first out. I know how many people hate that swing of his, but he knows what to do and gets the job done.
College basketball is drawing my attention away, sorry! Wright is on first with one out.
Beltran seems to un-plant his feet when he swings more this year, a la Shawn Green. He pops out of his stance when he makes contact, just something to watch as he strikes out swinging.
Delgado grounds up the middle, as they do not put on the shift, and Wright goes 1st to 3rd on the single.
On a full count, with the chance to drive in a run, Church pops out to center field. I really want to like him, and trust him, but he needs to start putting up numbers. I know he's coming off a rough hit and just had a new baby, but when the season rolls along, he better not make any excuses.

Fourth inning:

First pitch leadoff single against Santana.
Ex-Met Jay Payton is up, and swings mightily at a 78 mph change to no avail. He looks even worse on the second pitch, trying to check his swing on a ball that's in the dirt. He serves one to Wright, who's throw to second is well the the left of the bag, and Castillo's only play is to make the grab and out at second base.
A single ripped to right, which Church cuts off nicely and gets a strong throw in, but Payton is already standing at third. 1st and 3rd, 1 away.
Santana is a little wild tonight. A little odd.
A ball high and inside gets Cancel off his feet early, as he makes a beautiful throw to the right of the bag to get the runner attempting to steal.
Santana gets a K to end the inning.

Nice play by the pitcher (sorry, I'm not listening to the game. NCAA BBall, you know) to get Cancel at first, one away.
Again, he knocks down a comebacker to get Endy for the second out.
Santana has worked the count full. He takes some pretty strong swings, please don't hurt yourself. Santana walks. Bat him 4th, I say!!
Back-to-back walks spell the end of the day for the O's pitcher.
Castillo serves a single into center, the bases are loaded.
Wright hits one off the end of his bat, right to the second baseman. Inning over. The Mets have has the bases loaded, twice, and no runs to show from that situation.

Fifth inning:

First base apparently does not want to play along, and is just sitting next to the hole, so we're waiting on that.
I'm getting too into this Duke / Belmont game, there are 2 away in the inning.
The inning ended, apparently.

See you on the flipside with a recap!

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