Mets 5, Nationals 2: Young Pitches Well, Bats Score Some Runs

by Chris McShane on Mar 15, 2011 10:32 PM EDT

In their only night game of spring training, the Mets fielded a starting lineup that could be used at some point of the regular season. Chris Young got the start and pitched 5.1 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits with 1 strikeout and 1 walk. Oliver Perez was called upon, and he walked the first batter he faced but got the next two out. Pedro Beato followed with a scoreless inning with a strikeout. Taylor Tankersley, one of a few lefties attempting to make the team, continued to pitch poorly, recording only one out while giving up 1 run, 2 hits, and 2 walk. Blaine Boyer cleaned up the mess created by Tankersley with a couple of outs, and Francisco Rodriguez pitched a scoreless 9th.

As for the bats, the middle of the order did the damage. Angel Pagan, David Wright, Jason Bay, and Ike Davis all had a good night at the plate. Luis Castillo went 0-for-3, and Brad Emaus went 0-for-1 in the game. Daniel Murphy picked up a hit when he replaced David Wright at third base late in the game. As Eno pointed out on Fangraph s earlier today, there's a lot more than spring training stats that factors into a roster decision, but the Mets are wise to get their own take on the players competing for the job.

The Mets visit the Twins tomorrow at 1:05. The game will not be broadcast locally.

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Good game by Young

Hope he can keep it up in the regular season.

peace

by Wei on Mar 15, 2011 10:51 PM EDT reply actions

Hatred for Ollie.

by BurleighGrimes on Mar 16, 2011 1:11 AM EDT reply actions

lohaus#54

"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden

by Russ on Mar 16, 2011 6:35 AM EDT up reply actions

How many pitches did Young throw?

5.1 IP is a good sign with 2 weeks still to go

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Mar 16, 2011 7:11 AM EDT reply actions

Should I be afraid

that after Ollie strings together (it’s 2 now) 3, 4, maybe even 5 scoreless appearances, they’ll say that there isn’t enough to cut him, and he’ll come North with the team….

Please tell me it’s PTSD from the last administration and that he’s going to be cut at some point…

Thank you Matt Moulson!
It doesn't hurt being an Islander fan....but it sure hurts playing for them...get well soon, um, everybody....

by CharlieIsles on Mar 16, 2011 7:28 AM EDT reply actions

1 more win and he matches his total for the last 2 seasons combined

we may be looking at our $12M left hand specialist that comes in for 1 out. Imagine that, what did Pedro Feliciano sign for across town?

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Mar 16, 2011 7:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm praying.

I think the front office is a lot smarter than that but until the deed is done, there’s always that chance.

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!

by Steve Schreiber on Mar 16, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

TIME FOR A REAL CHANGE

I am sick of hearing about Beltran, LC and Ollie, it seems like we have been talking about these same issues for years, enough is enough. It’s time to move on, just dump LC and Ollie, and, replace Beltran, then we can start the season with a team and not keep waiting for this one and that one and hoping that this one and that one can return to past fourm. IF, Beltran does come back, it will be a bonus, IF he can’t, then, we will have a player in place to play full time in his place. We have to avoid this season in flux attitude that we have had the past few seasons. Injuries happen, but, to start out the season with more questions than answers, is, just the same old same, and more of the same. LETS GO METS!!!

by PiazzaHOF on Mar 16, 2011 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

Real changes take time

The season hasn’t even started yet.

"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden

by Russ on Mar 16, 2011 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions

We have players to replace Beltran.

Lucas Duda, Scott Hairston, Willie Harris and/or Nick Evans could do a decent job replacing him.

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!

by Steve Schreiber on Mar 16, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Chris Young is the new ace of this staff

Believe it. Barring another arm injury, I think that Young is going to pitch to an xFIP of under 4 and an ERA of under 3. Right man, right team, right park. Call it a hunch.

He doesn’t need 90+ velocity to be effective. All he needs is a controllable fastball that sits around 86 and that nasty hook falling off of a basketball rim and dropping in for strikes.

"It’s like being in love with an alcoholic. It’s like, you constantly defend her, and people are like, ‘Dude, your alcoholic friend is a mess,’ and you’re like, ‘Nah, you don’t know her like I do."- Jim Breuer

by spaceboy761 on Mar 16, 2011 11:39 AM EDT reply actions