(*T*M*C*)Let’s Go Mets! Let’s Go Mets! Let’s Go Mets! That will never get old for me. I’ve been a New York Metropolitans fan since 1978. I just learned yesterday that the Mets chose their colors from the departed Brooklyn Dodgers(Los Angeles) and New York Giants(San Francisco). Shame on me! Another part of Mets lore is that their colors can be found in the State of New York flag. The New York Mets have come a long way from that 1962 inaugural season of 40-120 but avoiding a 5th consecutive losing season in 2013 has to be the primary goal. So we came to another Opening Day on Monday 4/1/13 at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens(NYC) where the San Diego Padres arrive for a 3-game series. The Dads send Edison Volquez to the mound to face Jonathon Niese of the Amazins.
Citi Field paid tribute to the victims of Super Storm Sandy and Newtown, Conn. The Mets added to the special day by routing the Padres 11-2. Jonathon Niese(1-0) pitched 6 2/3 innings, giving up 2 earned runs on 4 hits. Niese walked 2, hit one batter and struck out 4. Edison Volquez(0-1) only completed 3 innings as he was chased 2 batters into the 4th was scorched for 6 earned run on 6 hits, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.
New York’s offense exploded as Collin Cowgill went 2-5 with a Double, Grand Slam HR, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI. Daniel Murphy was 2-5 collecting 2 singles, run scored and a RBI. The Franchise, David Wright, set the tone for the game with his aggressive play. He stole 2 bases along with a hit, run and a RBI. Marlon Byrd, 2-5 with 2 hits, 1 run scored and 2 RBI. John Buck, 2-4 with 2 hits, 2 runs scored and a RBI. Reuben Tejada, 2-4 Double with a run scored and a RBI. Jonathon Niese helped his own cause going 2-2 with a run scored and a RBI. San Diego produced a new brew called Offense Light. Yonder Alonso homered, run scored and a RBI. Chris Denorfia went 1-4 and a run scored. Carlos Quentin was 1-2 with a RBI.
The first 3 innings delighted Mets fan with all the clutch hitting. The Padres blew a chance to get at least a run in the Top of the 1st. Bottom 1st, Wright reaches on an error by Cody Ransom and steals second. Top 2, 3 up and 3 down. Bottom 2nd, 2-out walk to Buck. Trouble! 2-out RBI Double for Tejada. More trouble! 2-out RBI Single for Niese. New York 2 – San Diego 0. Top 3rd saw Niese retired 5 straight batters before surrendering a 2-out RBI Single to Quentin. New York 2 – San Diego 1. Bottom 3rd Wright singles and steals his 2nd again. Trouble! 2-Out RBI Single for Byrd. 2-Out Walk for Duda. More Trouble! 2-Out RBI Single for Buck. New York 4 – San Diego 1. Pitch Count: Niese 48 and Volquez 72.
The next 3 innings saw Edison Volquez hit the showers early. Top 4, 3 up and 3 down. Bottom 4, 4-pitch walk to Niese. Cowgill doubles. Edinson Volquez Final Pitch Count: 79. Anthony Bass(RP) comes on for SD. Amarista takes 2B to complete the double switch. New York attempts to break the game open. RBI Single for Murphy. New York 5 – San Diego 1. RBI Groundout for Wright. New York 6 – San Diego 1. 2-out RBI Single for Byrd. New York 7 – San Diego 1. Top 5, 3 up and 3 down. Bottom 5, Niese gets another hit. It’ll be amazing if the Mets will have 9 bats on his starts. Top 6, Solo HR by Alonso. Double by Gyorko. New York 7 – San Diego 2. Bottom 6, 3 up and 3 down. Pitch Count: Niese 94 and Bass 44.
The last 3 innings saw Jonathon Niese receive appreciation from Citi Field for a good pitching performance on Opening Day. New York finished what they started with flair. Top 7, 2 up and 2 down. Jonathon Niese Final Pitch Count: 101 then Brandon Lyon(RP) comes on for NY. 2 batters faced. An error by Reuben Tejada and side retired. Bottom 8, Brad Bach(RP) comes on for SD. With 1 out Duda walks, replaced by Nieuwenhuis. Singles by Buck and Tejada, load the bases. Valdespin pinch hits for Lyon, grounds into fielder’s choice. 2-out Grand Slam HR for Cowgill. New York 11 – San Diego 2.
The New York Mets have won 33 of their last 43 Opening Day games. We need to keep our eye on Ike Davis who struck out 4 times for the Golden Sombrero. San Diego will sorely miss Chase Headley who batted .286 31 HR 115 RBI in 2012 during this series. The horrible news on our end, Johan Santana may have had season-ending shoulder surgery which may end his tenure with the Mets. Tonight’s pitching match-up: Clayton Richard vs Matt Harvey at 7:10pm. Let’s Go Mets! Let’s Go Mets! Let’s Go Mets!(*T*M*C)
Written by Shelby Spencer
The Morning Crap 