John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 3/2/2020

Happy Birthday to Harol Gonzalez, Mets win one and lose one, Jacob deGrom looks sharp in one game,  Michael Wacha looks good in the other, and Seth Lugo faces Yoenis Cespedes in batting pactice.

Mets beat the Nationals 3-1. (Box). Video Highlights.  

Mike Puma on deGrom in the NY Post: His fastball humming in the 97-98 mph range and offspeed pitches respectable, the Mets ace fired three shutout innings in which he allowed one hit and struck out two. It came 25 days before deGrom is scheduled to throw pitches that count against these Nationals in the Mets’ season-opener at Citi Field.

SNY.TV had video of Jacob talking about the game including how he worked on his changeup yesterday: "That's kinda what I'm most inconsistent with right now," deGrom said of his changeup. "Messing with my grip a little bit. The one to [Nats OF Michael] Taylor that he popped up was a terrible changeup -- just floated in there."

Robinson Cano doubled in Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo in the first inning.

Michael Conforto hit a home run on his birthday for the other run.

Per MLB.com: This winter, Conforto and hitting coach Chili Davis stayed in constant contact, drawing up a plan that would help Conforto better balance himself at home plate. His birthday homer provided some vindication that the plan is working.

Andres Gimenez went 1 for 3 and is now hitting .313 this spring.

Edwin Diaz followed Jacob deGrom with a scoreless inning allowing just one hit. 

Justin Wilson struck out the side in a scoreless inning. 

Chasen Shreve threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.

Tyler Bashlor had a scoreless inning.

Stephen Nogosek allowed a run on three walks and a hit and was bailed out of a baes loaded jam by Rob Whalen.

Whalen then walked two to start the ninth and was relieved by Joe Zanghi who induced a double play started nicely by Manny Rodriguez before getting the final out on a comebacker.

SNY.TV had video of Robinson Cano’s double, Conforto’s home run and a base hit by Tim Tebow.

SNY.TV had takeaways from the win against the Nationals.

In the other game the Marlins beat the Mets 7-1. (Box).

Michael Wacha started and pitched three scoreless innings. 

Ken Davidoff in the NY Post: In addition to the velocity (92-94 mph range and even hitting 95), Wacha threw a bat-breaking, first-inning changeup to Marlins veteran Corey Dickerson, who grounded out to Max Moroff at second base, and he also expressed pride in a cut fastball to leadoff hitter Jonathan Villar that produced a weak grounder to shortstop Amed Rosario for the home team’s first out of the day.

Pedro Payano (2 runs allowed in 2 innings), Kevin Smith, (2 runs allowed in 2/3 of an inning), Ryder Ryan, Francisco Rios (3 runs in one inning), and Yefry Ramírez also pitched.

The Mets were held to three hits by the Marlins.  Their lone run scored on a bases loaded walk to Rene Rivera.

SNY.TV had more takeaways from loss against the Marlins.

The Mets are now 4-6 this spring while the Marlins now have a 7-2 record.

The  Mets have the day off today.  No games or workouts. 

Other Mets Links:

Mike Puma in the NY Post: Seth Lugo takes big step in road back to Mets.

SNY.TV had video of: Seth Lugo throwing batting practice after fracturing his pinky toe.  Yoenis Cespedes took him deep.

NY Post: Jordan Olerud, daughter of John Olerud, dead at 19 after battling rare disorder.  You can donate to John’s charity to help children with special needs at https://jordanfund.org/.

Brian Joura of Mets 360 had The roster and records of Mets teams five years after a World Series appearance.

213 Miles From Shea checked on the Mets Roster after week 1 of spring games.

213 Miles from Shea did a 2020 Mets Conglomerate Projections: Rene Rivera – 272 Plate Appearances, 175.33 At Bats, 8 HR, .219 BA./ .276 OBP/ .380 SLG.

213 Miles from Shea had Get to Know a Non-Roster Invitee: Ryan Cordell. Elliot Teichman noted “in AAA over three seasons he has hit .266/.323/.451 so he’s starting to become a prototypical Quad A player.”

Other MLB News:

MLB.com ranked the top 2020 MVP candidates. 1. Mike Trout, 2. Ronald Acuna Jr., 3. Christian Yelich.  Pete Alonso ranked as #10.

With Lindor, Arenado, and Kris Bryant all possibly available, MLB.com thinks this year’s July trade deadline could be wild.

Cub 7 Mariners 3 (Box). Jarred Kelenic a late inning replacement in left field went 0 for 1.  He is now hitting .250 this spring.  Gerson Bautista threw a scoreless inning.  His Spring Era is 3.00.

Here are all the other MLB Scores for 3-2-20.

Joel Sherman NY Post: Nothing can cripple Mookie Betts and the Dodgers.  Regarding MLB’s investigation of the Red Sox sign stealing scandal Joel reports: “The Dodgers, though, asked MLB if it should be concerned about acquiring Betts and were assured not to worry.  MLB is not expected to announce findings from its illegal sign-stealing investigation into the 2018 Red Sox this week, but the plan is before the regular season.”

12UP.com: VIDEO: Mike Trout Launches Absolute Rocket at Top Golf in Yet Another Display of Ridiculous Skill.

12UP.com: VIDEO: Strange Play at the Plate Leads to Benches-Clearing Brawl Between Toledo and Alabama State.

Mack’s Blast From The Past comes from 3-2-12 – Mack looked at the projected Mets starting rotation 4/1/12 – 4/1/2014.

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

• Chico Fernandez (1932)
• Harol Gonzalez (1995)

Died on this date:

• Clem Labine (2007)

Transactions:
New York Mets released Joe DePastino on March 2, 2001.

From National Pastime.com: 

1966

Commissioner William Eckert, citing a rule that prohibits clubs from signing players during their collegiate season, voids the Braves' contract with USC standout Tom Seaver, who had signed with Atlanta for a $50,000 bonus a week earlier. The Mets will be awarded the future Hall of Famer's signing rights in a lottery that includes the Phillies and Indians, who also were willing to match the Braves' terms.

1989

"When he punched Keith Hernandez in spring training last season, it was the only time that Darryl Strawberry hit the cutoff man." - STEVE WULF, Sports Illustrated journalist. At a photo session, Mets' outfielder Darryl Strawberry throws a punch at Keith Hernandez, the team's no-nonsense All-Star first baseman. The spring training scuffle started over comments about salaries and results with the Straw walking out of camp.

2005

Wearing their regular-season home uniforms instead of the traditional batting-practice spring training jerseys, the Nationals in their first game ever beat the Mets in the exhibition opener at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Florida, 5-3. The first and last games the Expos played were also against the Mets before leaving Montreal for their new home in Washington, D.C.

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