Core Of The Apple

In Friday night's 9-3 win over the Marlins, David Wright and Jose Reyes shone on both sides of the ball, flashing their offensive abilities, both hitting homers, and making slick defensive plays on hard hit balls to their respective positions. David Wright, the third baseman who is only 23 years old, is expected to make a run at the MVP award, along with first baseman Carlos Delgado. So far this year, David Wright is batting .500 with 8 hits in 16 at-bats, along with 2 home runs and 6 RBI. In the win, David went 2 for 3 with a huge solo shot over the Picnic Area, an RBI single, and a sac fly on which Eric Reed, the Marlins young centerfielder, made a spectacular diving catch on. With 3 RBI last night, Wright should be among the best hitters in the game for many years to come.

Jose Reyes, the slightly younger shortstop is another vital part of the Mets for years to come. Reyes has outstanding speed, an outstanding arm, and a very good glove. Reyes, he of 27 bases on balls last year in 696 at-bats is something that he must improve on. If he does, he'd be one of the best leadoff men in the league. Reyes smacked 190 hits last year to go along with 24 doubles, 17 triples, and 60 stolen bases. If he can keep that up for years to come, David Wright and Jose Reyes could be one of the best ever left side of the infield combo that will go down in history. The Mets certainly struck gold in two kids of Wright's and Reyes' potential and attitude towards baseball and fans.

In the bottom of the first, Jose Reyes led off with the first pitch swinging double to left center off of left-hander Jason Vargas. Lo Duca sacrificed Reyes to third, and Beltran followed with an RBI single. Carlos Delgado was next and was hit on the hip with a Vargas pitch. He was OK. Carlos Beltran would steal third, and David Wright would later hit a sac fly on which Reed made the diving stab on. After the first, the Mets were up 2-0. It was the third game in a row they have scored in the first inning. In the top of the fourth, Mike Jacobs, the kid we traded to Florida for Carlos Delgado hit a mammoth shot off Steve Tracshel, which went to the back of the Mets bullpen and I believe out of the stadium. I envision Jacobs as a future Met killer, showing them why they shouldn't have traded him, but we did get Carlos Delgado out of it. Jacobs' raw power is a thing to watch in the future. In the bottom of the inning, Steve Trachsel, a pretty good hitting pitcher, lined an RBI double down the left field line, scoring Xavier Nady. Jose Reyes followed with an RBI single, scoring Trachsel. It was 4-1 Mets. In the bottom of the fifth, David Wright would whale a solo shot out of the Picnic Area beyond left field. 5-1 Mets. In the bottom of the sixth, Todd Wellemeyer hot Paul Lo Duca, threw a wild pitch, and gave up an RBI double to Carlos Delgado. David Wright followed with a weak RBI single to center, scoring Delgado. 7-1 Mets. In the bottom of the seventh, Endy Chavez would bat for Chad Bradford. A player who was signed by the Mets in 1996, going through the farm system, made his Major League debut in 2001 with the Kansas City Royals. The first pitch he seen last night was hit for a double into left center field, showing why he will be a good player off the bench this year. Jose Reyes would follow with a laser beam two-run homer, making the score 9-1. In the top of the ninth, Armando Benitez... uhh excuse me... Jorge Julio, would take over the pitching duties. George July, who lost the game on Wednesday, would give up another two runs, with all the RBIs coming off the bat of Mike Jacobs. Jacobs hit a two out, two-run single, but the Marlins could've added more except Jeremy Hermida was thrown out at third on a great throw by Xavier Nady to get the third out at third base. Darren Oliver would pitch a perfect ninth for his first work of the year.

David Wright and Jose Reyes both homers, Wright's being a solo shot and Reyes with a two-runner. They both had 3 RBI, with Wright going 2 for 3 and Reyes going 3 for 5. I have never been anymore excited about these two kids on our team, and they aren't even in their primes yet. Oh boy. Do we have a treat in the future.
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W- Steve Trachsel (1-0) 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1.50 ERA.

L- Jason Vargas (0-1) 5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 9.00 ERA.