With just three days remaining in Spring Training for the Mets minor league clubs, contributions by certain players in yesterday’s Buffalo Bisons spring training game caused me to do a double-take. Say what?
First up, the winning pitcher in today’s game for the Bisons was left-hander Mark Cohoon. Cohoon had a great year in 2009 followed by a spectacular year in 2010, but in 2011 the wheels fell off. Last year in 18 starts for the Herd he went 4-11 with a 6.11 ERA. Overall in 27 starts between AA and AAA, he was 5-14 with a 5.29 ERA. But today he pitched five innings against the New Orleans Zephyrs, giving up just an unearned run, and earning the win in a 3-1 victory. A return to form by Cohoon would be very welcome in an organization that only has one lefty starter who has made it as high as AA, Darin Gorski.
Outfielder Sean Ratliff, who missed all of last season with a horrendous eye injury after being struck with a foul ball, went 2-3 with an RBI single. Last year before he was injured Ratliff was one of the Mets’ top outfield prospects, ranked right there with Captain Kirk, Cory Vaughn, and some guy named FMart. The injury occurred at a bad time, about a week before the start of the 2011 season. So after a lost year for the young man it’s good to see him back at work, squaring up fastballs.
Infielder Matt Tuiasosopo delivered the big blow in this afternoon’s game, a two-run home run, which was the game-winner. Outfielder Raul Reyes chipped in a 1-3 day. Buffalo opens their regular season a week from today, with a Thursday night game at Pawtucket. The projected opening night starter for the Herd is right-hander Matt Harvey.
