Mets Are Swept By Nationals In Opening Series of Season

Written by Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets

Series Recap, March 31^st-April 3rd

It was a rough opening series for the New York Mets, as they were handled rather easily by the Washington Nationals. It was the first time that the Mets were swept in their opening series in nine years, and it was tough to watch at times. Here are some takeaways from the three-game opening series from Citi Field.

-Positives

The Mets starting rotation, at least through one series, has been a bright spot. All three starters, Dillon Gee, Bartolo Colon and Zack Wheeler, had quality starts to begin the season. Gee was especially strong, probably the most deserving of a victory of the starters, as he retired 15 straight batters after allowing a two-run home run to Adam LaRoche. Colon and Wheeler both surrendered three runs in six innings, finishing with identical 1.50 WHIP as well. The big blemish for Colon was surrendering a homerun to the opposing starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez.

Juan Lagares was arguably the best position player the Mets had against the Nationals. No matter where manager Terry Collins put him in the lineup, Lagares produced. He hit leadoff, second and sixth, and not only did he register a hit in each game, he had at least one extra base hit in each game as well. Lagares finished the series 5-11, with two doubles, a triple and home run, and drew one walk. He scored four runs, and had two RBI as well. Lagares is in the lineup most nights because of the defense that he provides, so any addition production he gives at the plate should be viewed as an added bonus.

Andrew Theodorakis/New York Daily News

Mets' Opening Day Ruined By Bullpen in Loss To Nationals

Written By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

The New York Mets started the 2014 season with the same problem they ended 2013 with; a leaky bullpen.

The Mets bullpen blew the lead they had built behind starting pitcher Dillon Gee, and then imploded again in the 10^th inning. Gee deserved a better outcome than he received on opening day, as he retired 15 straight Washington Nationals after allowing a two-run homer to Adam LaRoche.

The first pitcher to really struggle was Bobby Parnell. Parnell blew the save in the ninth inning, as Denard Span roped a double and knocked in Ian Desmond. Parnell would surrender two hits, one walk in his inning of work.

William Perlman/The Star-Ledger

The worst news for Parnell and the Mets came after the game, when it was announced that Parnell has a partially torn ligament in his elbow. Parnell complained of forearm tightness after the game, and tests revealed the tear. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his elbow and will be sidelined for about two-weeks before getting re-evaluated. The re-evaluation is where it will be determined if Parnell needs to undergo surgery or not.

Alfonso Soriano Traded to Yanks

By John Alvarado (@theeinfamouss)

Early Friday morning it was announced that the Chicago Cubs finalized a trade that would send Alfonso Soriano to the New York Yankees; after a week of rumors the trade finally went through. The Cubs will receive class A pitcher Cory Black from the Yankees and cash considerations. 

Soriano started his major league career with the Yankees back in September 14, 1999, becoming a fan favorite and seeming to come through with a big hit whenever the club needed him to. We all remember the 2001 world series when he took Curt Schilling deep with a solo homer to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead in the 8th inning of game 7. 

Soriano is a seven time all star and two time world series champion, winning with the Yankees in 1999 & 2000. 

In 2004 Soriano was traded from the Yankees to the Rangers in exchange for 3B Alex Rodriguez. Since then Soriano has played for the Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals & most recently the Chicago Cubs. But now in 2013 his career has gone full circle as he is back where it all began for him; wearing pin stripes. 

Soriano is batting .254 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs this season and has heated up in July, with eight homers and 16 RBIs. He's 11 hits shy of 2,000 for his career and 11 home runs short of 400.

Since June 28 the Yankees have only hit eight homeruns, while Soriano has hit 10. "We've obviously been trying to improve our offense this season, to no avail," said Yankees GM Brian Cashman. "By far, he was the best available bat to date."

The Cubs are going to pick up about $17.7 million and the Yankees will cover the remaining $6.8 million of the estimated $24.5 million Soriano is owed through the end of next season. Soriano is scheduled to make $18 million next season, $5 million of which will be paid by the Yankees.

It is reported that Soriano is close friends with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Robinson Cano, so coming back to the Bronx should be like a homecoming. The Yankees have Soriano in Friday's lineup, where he is batting fourth and playing left field. I assume he will get a standing ovation as most Yankee fans are thrilled to have him back on the team. 

MLB Power Rankings Week 1

bleacherreport.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

MLB Week 1 Power Rankings

It is 2013 and baseball is officially back, and with a long season ahead some teams are showing that they are ready to live up to off-season expectations, and some teams didn’t get off to the hot starts that they would have liked to.

1.) Cincinnati Reds (4-2) - The Reds have grabbed the first spot in the opening week for baseball, as they had impressive series wins over two likely playoff teams in the Los Angeles Angels, and then the Washington Nationals. Todd Frazier is the man doing the most damage for the Reds, as he has three homeruns and nine RBIs in the first week.

2.) Atlanta Braves (5-1) - The Braves are off to a hot start, as they took the first series of the season against the Philadelphia Phillies, and then swept the Chicago Cubs. Newly acquired Justin Upton has made an impact early with five homeruns in six games.