The Mets defeated the University of Michigan today by a score of 5-2.
- Jon Niese and Dillon Gee each allowed a run in two innings of work.
- Rafael Montero threw two scoreless innings, and struck out one batter.
- Carlos Torres threw two scoreless innings of relief, and recorded the save in the process.
- Justin Turner, Marlon Byrd and Matt den Dekker all had one RBI.
- Wilmer Flores hit a home run in the 6th inning.
- Brandon Hicks went 2-3 with two runs scored.
My Take: Niese and Gee certainly looked promising today. Two innings apiece is a small sample size, but it is nice to see both of them getting off to strong starts this season. They are going to need to step up to make up for the loss of R.A. Dickey. As for Montero, people have been raving about him all Spring and he lived up to the hype today. I don't see any chance of him making the team out of Spring Training, but down the road he could be a force to be reckoned with.
As for Torres, he had a good game, but I'd like to see more of him before I consider giving him a bullpen spot. Luckily for him, it really won't take that much to earn a bullpen spot, considering that it is just THAT bad right now. I am excited to hear that Flores hit another home run this Spring. This kid is definitely something special, and it is exciting because the team is playing him at second base, so he may he Murphy a run for his money in 2013.
The Mets (1-0-1) and Astros (1-0-1) finished today's game with a 7-7 tie.
- Matt Harvey started for the Mets, and allowed one run in two innings of work. He also had three strikeouts.
- The Mets originally had a 6-1 lead, but Hefner allowed two runs (in two innings), and Familia allowed an additional three runs (two earned) in one inning of work. Finally, Josh Edgin put the nail in the coffin when he blew the save in the 9th inning by allowing a run.
- Aaron Laffey threw two scoreless innings of relief.
- Jaime Hoffman hit a home run in the second inning, and Jordany Valdespin hit a two-run home run in the third inning.
- Lucas Duda went 0-4 with four strikeouts in this game, and is now 0-7 with six strikeouts so far this Spring.
- Travis d'Arnaud went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts.
My Take: Matt Harvey looked pretty good for the most part, and I am happy that he managed to collect three strikeouts. However, he DID face the Houston Astros, so I kind of surprised that he actually let up a run. Nevertheless, just like everyone else, he is just starting his season and I'm sure he'll get better. As for the entire Mets bullpen debacle, I am most disappointed in Jeurys Familia. Familia really needs to show us fans why he is ranked the #3 pitching prospect in the organization. The velocity is there, but sometimes his fastball seems flat, and he just loses his control. It's nice to Aaron Laffey have some success. Here is a guy who has a decent chance to make the team as a long man in the bullpen, and possibly even a spot starter. He doesn't have too much upside, but is capable of putting of respectable numbers.
I'm not really sure what to think of Jaime Hoffman. I don't think he'll make the team, but his home run today certainly helped his cause. The Mets have quite a few outfielders as it is, but since most of them are average at best, I suppose the competition is wide open. Valdespin had another good game, and it is exciting to see him find his power stroke. However, I am somewhat concerned that he focuses too much on the long-ball rather than fully utilizing his speed through bunting. Duda has really looked awful this Spring, and I think that is due to some tinkering with his Spring. Earlier in the year we heard that he and Dave Hudgens were working on fixing his swing, but it appears that whatever they are doing is completely destroying it. Finally, d'Arnaud had a rough game, but I'm not concerned because it is still early and he hasn't played since last summer.
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