ST IGT, Mets @ Marlins; Mets @ Nationals, 03/10/11

[bmfc1]

The Mets split up today for two on the road. Neither is on TV or radio. From Adam Rubin, here are today's lineups:

Mets lineup at Marlins: Reyes 6, Harris 7, Emaus 4, FMart, 9 Thole dh, Lutz 3, Adams 5, Pridie 8, Chavez 2, Gee rhp
http://plixi.com/p/82950976

Mets lineup at Nats: Castillo dh, Murphy 4, Wright 5, Duda 7, Hairston 9, Evans 3, Nieuwenhuis 8, Nickeas 2, Hu 6, Pelfrey rhp
http://plixi.com/p/82951106

[Guest Edgy DC]

What's the deal with the DH? We're DH-ing left and right. Home and away. Do they universally DH the first half of spring training or something and then gradually work in at-bat opportunities for pitchers? Is it home team's privilege? Why don't I know this?

[seawolf17]

I read that the Mets originally made some sort of agreement to use the DH as an attempt to get Beltran more ABs, but I might be misremembering that.

[Frayed Knot]

As long as the opponent agrees beforehand, teams in ST can choose to use the DH, to not use it, or to have one team use it while the other does not.
Such stuff is independent of home field, AL/NL, etc.

[Ceetar]

It's usual for early in the Spring. You've got more guys in camp and this allows you to get more ABs. Plus starters are often pulled after 2-3 innings and don't always get an AB (and why bother with pinch hitting there or having a reliever bat?)

[bmfc1]

The game in Viera is delayed until at least two. Perhaps a long bus ride for nothing.

The Mets might lose one of the few teams with them on the east coast of Florida:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/baseball-insider/2011/03/orioles_move_west_could_provid.html

[Ceetar]

bmfc1 wrote: The game in Viera is delayed until at least two. Perhaps a long bus ride for nothing. The Mets might lose one of the few teams with them on the east coast of Florida: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/baseball-insider/2011/03/orioles_move_west_could_provid.html

They all gotta go. West coast or bust. It's unfortunate, but it's also stupid to play the Marlins 9 times and 3 of those just before playing them in the regular season.

[Ceetar]

Matt den Dekker was listening to Wiz Khalifa radio on #pandora on the bus ride, if you were curious.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Pelfrey gives up three in the first against the Nats.

Nyjer Morgan had been this years Is-It Wrong-to-Panic-in-Spring guy, starting 1-16, until he started clubbing against the Mets.

We're in the top of the third and Hu Chin-lung just doubled with two out for the Mets' first hit.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

So, yeah, Pelfrey put the first four on, letting up the aforementioned four runs. Now he's retired nine in a row.

David Wright is probably not wildly enthusiastic about it, but he just got his first hit of the spring. 1-for-15, bitches!

[Ceetar]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: So, yeah, Pelfrey put the first four on, letting up the aforementioned four runs. Now he's retired nine in a row. David Wright is probably not wildly enthusiastic about it, but he just got his first hit of the spring. 1-for-15, bitches!

saving the bullets for the season.

[Ceetar]

Gee's got 2Ks and no runs through 2. Thole and Fernando both with another hit.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Meanwhile, on the surface of Jupiter...'s place where the Marlins play, FernyMart takes his eleventy-billionth* walk this spring. If he stays healthy for a month straight, and continues this kinda thing...

And Thole's GAP POWER brings in two more for the half-'Mazins.


*All stats unofficial.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Back at Casa de Strasburg, Pelf's out after retiring 12 in a row, then walking the leadoff guy in the 5th. Castillo and Murphy [crossout:3dxzoqdt]play dueling rally-killer[/crossout:3dxzoqdt] continue to non-compete at second base.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Taylor Tankersly is not helping matters, following that leadoff hit by giving up a single by Cora and hitting Morgan with a pitch.

[Guest Edgy DC]

He fans righty Ian Desmond, but here comes Werth (who has recently confessed to hating the Phillies).

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: He fans righty Ian Desmond, but here comes Werth (who has recently confessed to hating the Phillies).

Good, I hope he hits .544 against them this year.

I'm confused about Werth. He's now an overpaid RF on an afterthought team. Do I still hate him?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

He's supposedly known for his Paul O'Neill-like intensity on the bench/in the clubhouse. Couple that with far more bonehead plays than you want out of a lineup staple-- ask any attentive Phil fan about last year-- and the frat-boy-dick facial hair/mien.

Yes, yes you do.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Werth's walk (by Taylor Bucholz) is all they get from that bases-loated sit.

Time to bite back.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Yes, but in Jupiter, Bonser boofs the three-run lead bequeathed him by a sterling Dillon Gee (3 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 ER). Knotted up now.

[Guest Edgy DC]

First and third and one out in St. Lucie Lawless, and Castillo up batting righty.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Nope Josh "Knights in White" Satin pinch-hitting.

[Guest Edgy DC]

He singles and the Mets are on the board. Beauty I've always missed with these eyes before.

[Ceetar]

drives in Nieuwenhuis, who I'm determined to learn how to spell. too many vowels.

[Ceetar]

3-run bomb for Wright? I'm calling it.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Ceetar wrote: drives in Nieuwenhuis, who I'm determined to learn how to spell. too many vowels.

He's a Schaefer-tallier's nightmare.

[Ceetar]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Ceetar wrote: drives in Nieuwenhuis, who I'm determined to learn how to spell. too many vowels. He's a Schaefer-tallier's nightmare.

Luckily, you probably won't see him.

But maybe we should just call him Kirk or something. I'm sure Sterling would be a little "beam me up Nieuwy" or something, on a home run.

[bmfc1]

Ceetar--Nice going! I assume that when you wrote "Wright" you meant to write "Jordany Valedspin."

[Ceetar]

bmfc1 wrote: Ceetar--Nice going! I assume that when you wrote "Wright" you meant to write "Jordany Valedspin."

EXACTLY!

Wright was pinch hit for with Tejada, who occasionally plays 2B, which is where Valdespin plays. you see how I could get confused.

Looks like we might hear a lot about Valdespin this season. He may jump ahead of Havens and Tejada as next year's 2B?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Down 6-1 in the ninth, the Mets move to rally. One run home on an outfielder error and it's first and third with one out.