Kudos to Mike Pelfrey who looked sharp in his last spring tune-up on the route to a walk-off victory for the Mets over the Skankees, 7-6.

Summary

Either I am going crazy or Mike Pelfrey has actually been pitching better since the last time I yelled at him in a recap. Much appreciated Big Pelf – I will be sure to keep you in line during the season.

On a serious note, Pelfrey pitched 4 strong innings allowing only 2 hits, one which was HR to Swisher for his only ER, and struck out 5. He did not walk a batter which is again, HUGE, for him. 65 pitches for the Pelf overall and a 5:1 GO:FO rate for the balls hit in play show that he was commanding the sinking fastball effectively, at the very least. Niese took over and imploded – allowing 8 hits and 5 ER in just an inning and two thirds pitched. Stevens, Byrdak, and Hampson combined to pitch the remaining 3.1 innings allowing only a H and a BB while striking out two. Hampson finished up the ninth so he vultured the victory.

Offensive explosion of sorts for the Amazins today as they rocked Ivan Nova for 5 ER in 2.2 IP. He allowed 8 hits and drilled two batters – Go ahead and tell me that drilling Tejada after the Thole double was not intentional. It was an act of frustration. 13 hits overall for the Mets today, including 2 from Murphy, Wright, Duda, and Thole. Two RBIs for Davis, who had the aforementioned walk-off shot in the ninth.

Baxter picked up his fifth steal of the spring while Wright got hit with a CS today.

No errors today, no double plays turned, and Pena gunned down Toussen trying to swipe a bag. I tried to make that sound important.

Hero Of The Game

Pelfrey, who pitched well and deserves a pat on the back with only 2 ER in his last two starts.

Notes

Andres Torres, Scott Hairston, and Tim Byrdak all saw time today. No DL for either of the three guys.

Brandon Nimmo, Cory Vaughn, and Philip Evans all saw some defensive time today without an AB.

Pelfrey lowered his spring ERA to 7.62 and Niese’s shot up to 5.73. A little discouraging, to say the least.

On Deck

The Mets finish up their spring schedule tomorrow when they travel to Tampa to play the Yankees once more. 12:05 start in Tampa where Dillon Gee will take the mound for his last tune-up against the Skankees’ Freddy Garcia.

Summary

So let me knock the negativity out of the way to begin. It was the Astros and they looked completely outmatched. The Astros are a 100-loss team, It is Spring Training, Pelfrey still sucks, Wright is not clutch, Sandy Alderson is a nut job.

Did I cover everything? I know that I am being pretentious, but I enjoyed tonight’s game because I saw some life in our team that made me believe for a second we were not as bad as everyone proclaimed us to be. Yes, for one night, we were just average, and that was okay.

The Astros offense is lacking, so it is a good thing that Pelfrey was able to pitch the way he did, or else we would never hear the end of it. A final line of 6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K, and an ER  was the mark of a good pitching performance from one Mike Pelfrey, who looked sharp for the first time this Spring. The 0 BB was as HUGE as my capital letters for the ex-palm licking tosser and his GO:FO ratio was 13:1. If that is not proof that the sinker was working tonight, I have nothing else for you.

Herrera finished up in the 7th with two clean outs. Rauch came in to follow and struck out two in the inning. When Rauch’s changeup is on, he pitches brilliantly. Also a fun fact – we went from Herrera at 5’6” to Rauch at 6’11”. Wow. Nice angle shift. That’s the equivalent of going from Dickey to Parnell in speed. Edgin closed out the game in the ninth, but it looks like Herrera’s going to be taking that lefty spot until Byrdak is back.

A quick rundown of the offense shows Wright with a grand slam, his only hit on the afternoon, leading the charge with Murphy and Thole both posting multiple hits on the evening as well. A comedy of literal errors overtook the Astros defense today as they made three errors which helped the Mets – even giving Mike Pelfrey credit for an RBI on a possible DP ball.

Thole got called for CI in this game but was good otherwise by gunning down Ruggiano on a steal attempt. Bottom line: We were supposed to beat the Astros, we beat them with a 7-run 4th, and tomorrow afternoon we keep going on route to Opening Day.

Hero Of The Game

Mike Pelfrey for giving me a reason to believe in him, if only for an hour.

Notes

Scott Hairston sighting today – I guess he will be heading north with the team to start on the bench.

Think there’s any real advantage to my angle switch joke earlier? 5’6” to 6’11” is no joke.

Mike Pelfrey got a hell of an ovation when he fouled off a 3-2 pitch from Livan Hernandez after working there from 0-2. Highlight of the night.

On Deck

Our whiz kid Dillon Gee takes the mound for us tomorrow against the Cardinals at 1:05, who counter with Kyle Lohse. Parnell is scheduled to pitch so keep an eye on him – E.R.A. is still 0.00 this Spring.

Chris Schwinden started and subsequently got rocked today in a 7-5 defeat to the Braves.

Summary

It was a tough day for Chris Schwinden today, who could not finish the third inning and allowed 4 ER in just two and a third innings pitched. He looked fairly outmatched and struggled to hit his spots.

Schwinden started because the Mets did not want the Braves to get a good look at R.A. Dickey, who instead started a minor league game. Parnell and Edgin each threw (another) scoreless inning each today. They each hold a 0.00 Spring E.R.A. Olson allowed a run in 1.2 IP off a hit and a walk, and Rauch/Ramirez each got tagged for a HR by Freddie Freeman who killed the Mets today. Bourn did the damage against Schwinden with a 3-run shot.

The offense did show up today – with Duda taking opposing starter Buddy Caryle deep in the 2nd for a solo shot, and Wright, Valdespin, Turner, and Rottino each had an RBI each. Wright and Valdespin were credited with SAC Flies. Duda and Valdespin each had multiple hits today.

Valdespin picked up his third steal of the spring today and looked good overall. On the other hand, Ike Davis was 0-4 today with 3 K’s. Mike Baxter and Den Dekker each picked up a hit off the bench.

Error by Parnell today, his first of the spring on a pickoff, but he is still sporting that sparkling 0.00 E.R.A. One DP turned and 9 men LOB for the Mets offense today.

Goat Of The Game

Chris Schwinden who still might need a little work before he gets some consistent MLB time. I do believe in him, however.

Notes

R.A. Dickey shined in the above mentioned minor league intrasquad game – pitching 8 IP with 2 R allowed – I believe only one was earned. 105 pitches, 70 for strikes.

Overall, Garrett Olson looked pretty good again today yet Josh Edgin looked sharper. Still, color me hesistant to give that lefty spot to Edgin.

Valdespin saw some time in CF today again.

Rauch’s ER today gives him a Spring E.R.A. of 7.27 while Ramirez lives with a 6.75 E.R.A.

Wright played 5 Innings at 3B today coming back in his second straight game back. He was 0-2 with a Sacrifice Fly and RBI.

On Deck

It is the Nationals tomorrow in a 1:10 game with the Mets playing the part of the home team. Jon Niese will start for us.

R.A. Dickey took a no-hitter into the sixth inning today and looked to be in mid-season form as the Mets took care of business with the Astros, 8-2.

Summary

What else can be said about R.A. Dickey that has not already been said in the form of a compliment or a pun?

He pitched into the 7th today, going 6 and a third innings and allowing only a single with three walks. He struck out four, including his last batter in the seventh. I feel confident knowing that if he is not our ace, R.A. Dickey is a solid #2 starter on this staff and could very well be an ace for some teams. Edgin took over after Dickey, who pitched longer than expected and deprived us of a Fernando Cabrera appearance, and finished the 7th while picking up a K. Ramon Ramirez followed with a scoreless eighth, allowing only a hit and picking up a strikeout as well.

Take notice of this, however: Francisco came in to pitch in the ninth and allowed another run off 2 hits, which means he has allowed a run in 5/7 appearances this spring and at least 2 baserunners in each of those 5 appearances. That leads up to a 6.43 Spring E.R.A.

Ruben Tejada led off the bottom of the first with a bang, as he took opposing starter Wandy Rodriguez deep to put the Mets on the board right off the bat. Rodriguez did not have it today, as he walked in a run in the 1st and 4th innings as well. 3 Houston errors today led to 3 unearned runs, and the Mets were 5-14 with RISP – good to see, even in Spring Training.

Omar Quintanilla drilled a 3 RBI 2B in the 7th to do some damage to Escalona, who was not on his game today. Jason Bay singled, scored, and stole a base again – but he also struck out on a pitch outside. 11 hits overall for the Metsies today, but only Vinny Rottino and Rob Johnson banged out multiple ones. Rough day for Lucas May, who took in some time at 3B and left 7 men on base today.

Defense went by well today – if there’s nothing bad to say about it, I assume it would be a good thing. Another DP turned from the Murph/Tejada duo, so they are getting some practice in.

Hero Of The Game

R.A. Dickey for teasing us by flirting with a no-hitter and pitching excellent, as always.

Notes

Adam Loewen came in today and struck out…again. That gives him 15 in 31 ABs, 10 in his last 10 games where he’s batting .118. I do not have a persona agenda against him – I am just keeping tabs on him because he is basically guaranteed a bench spot and I am going to be worried if our of our main pinch-hitting or bench options is a K machine.

I think Josh Satin is going to develop into an excellent hitter. His mechanics are pretty good. On the same topic of young players impressing me, Josh Edgin continues to rock, Ike Davis looks great, and it was good to see Tejada take one deep today. For the record, I do want Olson over Edgin as Byrdak’s temporary replacement, but I love what I am seeing from Edgin so far.

Valdespin saw some time in CF today.

Dickey had a 10-3 GO/FO ratio today – even when he walks a few guys, as a knuckleballer, he still manages to keep the ball down for a high groundball ratio.

On Deck

Mets take on the Braves tomorrow with Jon Niese toeing the rubber for the Amazins. Miguel Batista, Daniel Herrera, and Josh Edgin are all expected to pitch, so keep your eye on those potential bullpen candidates. 1:05 start.

Summary

Dillon Gee looked pretty sharp out there tonight – He looked in control for basically the entire duration of his start. He pitched into the sixth, allowing only three hits and a walk while striking out four. Francisco took over after, and immediately walked a batter and allowed two singles. He got out of the inning unscathed and got another two outs cleanly, one via strikeout. Chuck James picked up an out and Jon Rauch looked strong in the eighth, allowing no hits and picking up a strikeout. His changeup looked rather sharp. Parnell came in and saved it in the ninth, striking out two of three for a perfect inning.

Only four hits for the offense today, but they made them count – A 2B and HR for Lucas Duda, an RBI single for Davis, and a grounder down the line for a double for Tejada. Strasburg looked to be in midseason form against the Mets today, so I can respect Gee for keeping pace with him and Duda for getting the best of him on an opposite field HR.

We also saw Murphy and Bay steal a bag each today. Gee laid down a great SAC bunt as well.

Good defense overall today – The Tejada/Murph duo turned two double plays. Only downside is that Thole made a terrible throw on an Ian Desmond stolen base attempt on a perfect pitch to make a throw on – high fastball.

Hero Of The Game

Spring Training Heroes aren’t as competitive, so I will split it between Gee and Duda tonight.

Notes

Parnell busted out the knuckle-curve that he learned from Izzy a bit more often today and it looked pretty sharp.

Radar gun was really slow or the Mets toned down their velocity for control. It worries me slightly.

Andres Torres left the game with an injury in the third which was determined to be a strained left calf. It did not look to be anything serious, but you never know with this team.

On Deck

1:05 start tomorrow afternoon against the Cardinals, where Johan Santana is expected to start.

Summary

R.A. Dickey started today opposite Marlins ace Josh Johnson where we caught our first glimpse of Jose playing against us. Dickey threw only 23 pitches (16 strikes) in 2 perfect innings – but was taken out due to a 1 hour rain delay in the third.

Acosta took over after the rain delay and pitched 2 innings with 3 Ks, and Parnell came in after and followed the scoreless trend, giving both him and Acosta 0.00 on the E.R.A. front so far this Spring. Fernando Cabrera took over and ran into a little trouble, as all three runs were under him, but only one was earned. A two out dropped fly ball by Adam Loewen led to the two unearned runs. Herrera rounded out the pitching for the game by tossing a scoreless eighth.

Offense jumped out quickly today and Davis drilled an RBI 2B against Josh Johnson, but that would be all the scoring the Mets would get done. Bay, Satin, and Baxter all had 2Bs today, and that’s about it with the bats. Bay had 2 hits, the only Met to pull off multiple hits.

Defense left something to be desired today with the aforementioned Loewen error and a throwing error by Satin. Den Dekker picked up an OF Assist throwing out John Buck, though.

Goat Of The Game

Adam Loewen. He can swing the bat well, but I really am not impressed with his defense at all. He is not worth a bench spot.

Notes

I wanted to keep an eye on Fernando Cabrera – he used to have electric stuff back with Cleveland, at least in my eyes.

Reyes grounded out to Dickey in his only AB today.

Collins got ejected for arguing an interference call in the 8th involving Valdespin (who’s batting .364, by the by.) Terry’s getting in some practice for the regular season.

On Deck

Johan Santana toes the rubber tomorrow in a 1:10 game against the Tigers. Deja Vu, two recaps for me, two losses, and two subsequent games with the Tigers. Santana is going to be on a 60-pitch count, I believe. Francisco is also scheduled to pitch – and keep an eye on that, since he’s allowed a run in his first three outings consecutively.

Summary

It was a tough day for Mike Pelfrey, who started opposite Adam Wainwright. It is early in spring training, but a line of 4 ER, 2 HR, and 6 H in only about 4 innings is not encouraging.

I do not have a good feeling about Francisco, but we have got some time before the season starts, so I hope he proves me wrong. He and Ramirez looked a little off today, allowing the other 3 ER in 2 IP, with Ramirez allowing 2 of them. Francisco has now allowed a run in three straight outings.

Garrett Olson, Manny Acosta, and Bobby Parnell combined for 2.2 scoreless IP with 0 H and 2 BB, but Olson was the man on the mound when Tyler Greene stole home – the run was charged to Pelfrey. Keep an eye on Garrett Olson, he is a possible replacement for Tim Byrdak’s spot as a lefty.

The offense looked weak out there today – scoring their only run on a Duda sacrifice fly and mustering only 6 hits overall. 0-5 with RISP today. The only XBH came on a Bay 2B, his first XBH of the Spring. Daniel Murphy was the only Met with multiple hits, going 2-4 with a run scored.

Defense looked fine today – Satin turned a nice DP. Only error was on the catcher, May.

Goat Of The Game

It’s gotta be Pelfrey, who really needs to shape up out there and give us a reason to feel good about him.

Notes

Ruben Tejada was scheduled to start, but was scratched with a groin injury. See Craig’s post for how Collins feels about that. His backup, Cedeno, was also out with what I believe to have been knee pain.

Beltran went hitless against Pelfrey today and finished 1-4. Good to see him.

On Deck

Gee will start tomorrow against Max Scherzer of the Tigers in Lakeland. 1:05 start. Harvey was in line to replace him, but it looks like Gee will be starting tomorrow with Schwinden and Chuck James also scheduled to pitch.