PGT: Mets vs. Astros, 3/9/2012

[Edgy MD]

Since we all opted either to not pay attention or not comment, let's let Adam Rubin catch us up.

Mets 9, Astros 6: Another highlight catch March, 9, 2013 MAR 9 5:45 PM ET By Adam Rubin | ESPNNewYork.com PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Lucas Duda went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and Jeremy Hefner tossed three scoreless innings as the Mets beat the Houston Astros, 9-6, Saturday at Tradition Field. Marlon Byrd, Duda and John Buck all doubled in a three-run third inning that chased Astros starter Alex White. Game tidbits: WEB GEMS: Matt den Dekker�s collection of highlight-reel plays, which included taking a homer away from Washington�s Anthony Rendon earlier in spring training, has a new addition. Den Dekker slid on the warning track in left-center to rob Trevor Crowe of an extra-base hit in the third inning. Although den Dekker is very likely ticketed for Triple-A Las Vegas to open the season, a scout assigned to the Mets said the prospect might be the top outfielder in the NL East -- from a defensive perspective. Or, at least on par with B.J. Upton and Denard Span. �Like Ozzie Smith out there,� the scout said, referring to the defensive prowess of the Hall of Fame shortstop. Smith, it turns out, was one of den Dekker�s favorite players growing up. �I think it was the flips that he did,� den Dekker said. Meanwhile, Crowe had an unlucky day. In his next at-bat, he appeared poised to single to right field. But Ike Davis ranged to his right to stop the hard grounder. Davis then shoveled the ball on his backhand while on the ground to Darin Gorski covering first to retire Crowe. HEFTY PERFORMANCE: Hefner erased a Fernando Martinez single in the first inning by coaxing a double play from Carlos Pena. He allowed only one other batter to reach, on a walk, in three scoreless innings. Hefner appears destined for the Opening Day roster -- and a spot in the rotation if Johan Santana has a prolonged absence. The Mets do not need a fifth starter until April 7, buying time for Santana to be ready without breaking camp with the team. Hefner now has a 2.61 Grapefruit League ERA. �Obviously it hinges on Johan, how he feels and that type of thing,� Hefner said about working out of the rotation. �I can only control me and control my approach and my bullpens. And that�s what I�m going to continue to do and let Johan rehab or whatever he needs to do to get ready to pitch.� HERE�S CARSON: Left-handed reliever Robert Carson surrendered a leadoff walk, then a two-run homer to Pena in the fourth. Pedro Feliciano is the primary contender to join Josh Edgin as a second lefty in the Mets� bullpen. The likelihood is Carson gets more seasoning with Las Vegas regardless of Feliciano�s fate, though. With Frank Francisco likely to open the season on the DL, Bobby Parnell will close. Parnell should be joined in the bullpen by Brandon Lyon, LaTroy Hawkins, Scott Atchison and Edgin. The Mets may carry only one left-hander (rather than Carson, Scott Rice, Gorski or Aaron Laffey) if Feliciano does not make it, which could pave the way for both Jeurys Familia and submariner Greg Burke to make the Opening Day roster. Regardless, scouts have raved about Familia�s conversion to full-time reliever and feel like he is a near-lock for the Opening Day bullpen. Having abandoned starting, Familia is now exclusively working from the stretch and has found a consistent release point. OOOPS: Parnell, working consecutive days for the first time in spring training, was poised to again post a 1-2-3 inning Saturday. However, on a would-be game-ending play, Parnell committed an error and ultimately surrendered an unearned run. Terry Collins continues to rave about Parnell, including the fact that he sits in the bullpen all nine innings of Grapefruit League games, trying to get in the mindset of a closer. ON TAP: Bill Parcells is due to attend Sunday�s Mets-Cardinals game in Jupiter. The Mets plan to present Parcells with a signed jersey as a gift for being selected to the NFL Hall of Fame. � Collins said the Mets will start having pitchers hit Wednesday, after a team day off.

[metirish]

I watched a few innings......enough to hear the crew wonder and talk about why Gil is not in the HOF......

[metirish]

Oh, and the Astros could be awfully awful.

[dinosaur jesus]

metirish wrote: I watched a few innings......enough to hear the crew wonder and talk about why Gil is not in the HOF......

Gil Gamesh? He's still a pretty controversial figure, I think. But Mike Mazda and Luke Gofannon belong there, no question.

[ashie62]

They wan't non steroid people? Elect Gil Hodges.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Today's Den Dekker highlight special here.

[Ceetar]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Today's Den Dekker highlight special here.

what a great play that was. den Dekker certainly can field. Even if he never hits, he might stick around the league as the Endy Chavez defensive replacement type.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'm ready to give him 1,300 innings in CF (and somehow, 250 PAs). MAKE IT HAPPEN, FRED.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Ceetar wrote: what a great play that was. den Dekker certainly can field. Even if he never hits, he might stick around the league as the Endy Chavez defensive replacement type.

But not on my team. What did LWFS say about den Dekker? That he's the Rey Ordonez of center field? That's just fucking great.

(Not.)

[Ceetar]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Ceetar wrote: what a great play that was. den Dekker certainly can field. Even if he never hits, he might stick around the league as the Endy Chavez defensive replacement type. But not on my team. What did LWFS say about den Dekker? That he's the Rey Ordonez of center field? That's just fucking great. (Not.)

well, I did say 'around the league'.

[G-Fafif]

Pitched against the Mets, as unlikely as that sounds.

[Guest themetfairy]

He'd have preferred to pitch for the Mets!

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Ceetar wrote: what a great play that was. den Dekker certainly can field. Even if he never hits, he might stick around the league as the Endy Chavez defensive replacement type. But not on my team. What did LWFS say about den Dekker? That he's the Rey Ordonez of center field? That's just fucking great. (Not.)

That was TM. I do think he's in a position, used judiciously, to contribute immediately-- and impactfully-- on a defensive/baserunning front RIGHT NOW, but I'm hoping for more of a Drew Stubbs-cum-Franklin Gutierrez turn from the guy, at least eventually/for a short while.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

themetfairy wrote: He'd have preferred to pitch for the Mets!

...but they drove a dump truck of money up to his house. He's not made of stone!

[Guest themetfairy]