John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 3/11/2020

Mets score some runs, Michael Conforto has a right oblique strain and Happy Birthday to Jeremy Hefner. 

Mets 7 Astros 4 (Box).

Wait, did the Mets really score 7 runs yesterday? 

Yes they did, 7 runs on 9 hits.  4 runs in the second and 3 in the eighth by stringing together good at bats.

Even with the 7 runs yesterday, they have scored just 51 runs for the year over 18 games (7 wins, 9 loses, 2 ties) 2.83/game average.

In the second with two out, Eduardo Núñez doubled, Rene Rivera singled, Ryan Cordell singled in Núñez, Andres Gimenez walked to load the bases, Brandon Nimmo was hit by a pitch to drive in Rivera, and Robinson Cano doubled to score two to give the Mets a 4-0 lead.

Per SNY.TV: “Robinson Cano looked good on both sides of the ball…Cano also started a nifty double play to end the fourth inning, ranging to his right to start a 4-6-3 turn.”  One of three double plays the Mets turned yesterday.

Rick Porcello started and gave up 9 hits and 2 runs over 4.2 innings.

Paul Sewald got the final out in the fifth with two on then gave a up a home run in the sixth to make it a 4-3 game.

Chasen Shreve pitched the seventh giving up a home run to tie the game.

4 singles, a stolen base by Johneshwy Fargas, and an error helped the Mets score more 3 runs in the eighth to break a 4-4 tie.  Rene Rivera had his second single of the game in the inning.  Rene is hitting .250 this spring with a .900 OPS.

NYC Born Pedro Payano pitched two scoreless innings to close out the game, 2 hits, 1 walk.

The Mets are back home today in Port St. Lucie vs. the Cardinals.  Jacob deGrom the scheduled starter.

  

More Mets links:

SNY.TV: Mets outfielder Michael Conforto has a right oblique strain and will be reassessed next week, GM Brodie Van Wagenen said after Tuesday's spring training game.

NY Post: The possibility of Conforto missing the early part of the season is quite real, since oblique injuries can take time to heal fully. Van Wagenen said he was unsure of the severity of the strain.

12up.com: 3 Mets Not Named Tim Tebow  Who Could Make Opening Day Roster After Michael Conforto Injury: RHP Erasmo Ramírez; OF Ryan Cordell; INF Eduardo Núñez. 

Jacob Resnick Metsmerized.com: Erasmo Ramírez Making a Name for Himself in Mets Camp. “Ramírez, 29, tossed two scoreless innings on Sunday against Houston in Port St. Lucie, lowering his spring ERA to 1.13 through four appearances. He added four strikeouts to raise his total to 10, as opposed to just three walks.”

Matthew Cerrone of SNY.TV talked about what the Mets should due in Conforto’s absence and mentioned: “Thankfully, between [Jed] Lowrie and Cano, the Mets have enough experience on the roster to handle filling in for [Dom] Smith, who would ordinarily have been Pete Alonso’s backup. As a result, Smith will be freed up to handle playing a corner outfield spot nearly every day.”

SNY.TV: 5 Mets ranked on ESPN's top 100 MLB players for 2020 list. #3. Jacob deGrom; #20. Pete Alonso; #51. Noah Syndergaard; #76. Jeff McNeil, and #100. Michael Conforto.

Mike Lupica on Mets.com: Céspedes is baseball’s biggest ‘if’ right now.  Mike asked Mets coach Gary “DiSarcina how Céspedes is doing, and he said he's working his tail off.”

John Fox of Mets.360 had the projected Mets Opening Day lineup: 1. Brandon Nimmo CF; 2. Jeff McNeil 3B; 3. Pete Alonso 1B;  4. Michael Conforto RF; 5. Wilson Ramos C;  6. Robinson Cano 2B; 7. Dominic Smith LF; 8. Jacob deGrom P; 9 Amed Rosario SS.

213 Miles from Shea 2020 Conglomerate Mets Projections: Seth Lugo: 71 Innings pitched, 3.27 ERA; 1.12 WHIP; 10.24 K/9.

SNY.TV: Brandon Nimmo and Robinson Cano talk about the coronavirus.

NY Post: Mets don’t like prospect of playing in an empty Citi Field.

Maggie Wiggen Amazing Avenue: Jake Marisnick has very small shoes to fill. The standard for success for the Mets’ backup centerfielder is low enough that he just might meet it.

Kyle Newman Elite Sports NY: The New York Mets can’t continue to mortgage the future for veterans. “They’ve felt the need to play veterans over trusting their youth. It’s led to a trade for Robinson Cano, Todd Frazier playing every day, Austin Jackson starting in centerfield, and Jose Reyes getting any playing time…Robinson Cano is blocking Andres Gimenez and that can’t continue.”

Elite Sports NY: New York Mets’ Dom Smith remains positive despite role with team.

Elite Sports NY: New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, New York Yankees’ Gleyber Torres grace cover of Sports Illustrated.

Rising Apple: Mets truly living by the “you can never have enough pitching” mantra.

Mets insider Blog talks about David Wright: Me & “The Captain”

Steve Schaeffler of Mets Minors.net: Syracuse Mets Open House: The Good, The Not So Good, and the Unfinished.

Other MLB News:

12up.com: VIDEO: Phillies’ Zack Wheeler Stuns Willians Astudillo With Absurd 2-Seam Fastball.

Phillies 5 Twins 1 (Box):  Zack Wheeler 4 innings, 4 hits, 1 R, 1 HR, 6 Ks, 5.40 ERA this spring; Anthony Swarzak, 1 scoreless inning, 1 K; Jay Bruce 1 for 2 with a run scored, .333 BA this spring.

Here’s all the Spring Training scores from 3-10-2020.

AP News: MLB prefers teams flip sites if virus shuts parks. “Baseball’s preference is to play in front of fans and not in empty stadiums, the person said familiar with the deliberations said. Players and management don’t like the lack of energy in empty ballparks…Flipping home and road dates is easier to do at the start of the season, when there are many series between teams who face each other later in the year.”

12up.com: VIDEO: Andruw Jones' Son Rips Grand Slam and Delivers Epic Bat Flip

Yesterday at Mack’s Mets:

Tom Brennan - METS’ OUTSTANDING PITCHING

Tony Plate - Cano Believes Mets Can Win a Championship

OPEN THREAD - Conforto out. What would be your opening day OF

Mack’s Blast From The Past comes from 3-11-12 – Mack The Keepers - #14 - OF – Cesar Puello.

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

• Dock Ellis (1945)
• Steve Reed (1965)
• Bobby Abreu (1974)
• Jeremy Hefner (1986)

Transactions:
New York Mets signed free agent Michael O'Connor on March 11, 2010

National Pastime.com:

2001	Preston Wilson, the franchise's first 30-30 player, signs a $32 million five-year contract with Florida. The 26 year-old Marlin center fielder, who is the stepson and nephew of former major leaguer Mookie Wilson, was obtained from the Mets in the Mike Piazza deal in 1998.

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