For a full recap, and boxscore, go here.

The Least You Should Know:

• Due to injuries and illness the Mets sent out a spring training lineup against Zach Duke, which scratched out one run on eight hits.
• Filling in for a flu-ridden Carlos Beltran, Jeremy Reed tied a career-high with three hits.
• Johan Santana cruised through the first 10 batters he faced, however the next eight out of 12 batters reached.

Other Observations:

• On June 2, the lineup resembles something close to an expansion team.
• I don’t understand how Fernando Martinez gets a start against a left-hander over Daniel Murphy.
• Game time was 2 hours and 11 minutes and you would think Johan threw a complete game two-hitter.
• Jose Reyes, Ryan Church and Beltran can’t come back fast enough.

The Game Ball:

• Tonight’s game ball goes to anyone who can disinfect the Mets clubhouse.

The Mets look to get back on track tomorrow night with Mike Pelfrey facing Ross Ohlendorf at PNC Park.

Maine, speaking to reporters after the game, said one bad pitch did him in:

“It’s always one pitch.  I hung it, and it was a bad pitch.  The worst-case scenario is a home run, and that’s what happened.  It’s just the way it seems to always go and it’s frustrating.  I just have to do a better job of concentrating.”

Added to by Matthew Cerrone:

…naturally, maine is being hard on himself… he actually looked pretty good, against the best offense in the National League… he made two mistake-pitches, hanging two sliders, and both were clobbered and he paid for it… he needs to stop walking batters, especialy in advance of his errors… but, in terms of stuff, he is shwoing progress, though he is still not the pitcher he was in 2007, mentally or physically…

For a full recap and boxscore, go here.

The least you should know…

• Carlos Beltran had two singles tonight, setting a career-high 16-game hitting streak.
• Ramon Castro went 3-4 (2 2B) with one RBI.
• The game was broken open in the top of the 9th with a BASES LOADED two-run single by Carlos Delgado.
• Livan Hernandez earned the win tonight with two strikeouts, two walks and one earned run in 6.1 IP.

Other Observations…

• Seriously, other than the sun, is there anything hotter right now than Beltran is at the plate.
• As Matt and I discussed tonight, it is amazing what happens when you take the right approach to the plate and execute. The Mets batters adjusted to Kenshin Kawakami pitching outside and they started hitting to the opposite field.
• However, Mets hitters still found ways to miss scoring opportunities through the first five innings.
• The defense came up huge behind Hernandez, who turned three double plays and made some nice plays in the outfield.
• And speaking of defense, thank you to Luis Castillo and Delgado for my heartburn tonight.

Key moments…

• In the eighth inning, after a Luis Castillo error, J.J. Putz rebounded nicely by recording the next two outs to end the inning. The Mets went on to put away the Braves with two runs in the 9th inning, thanks to a Chipper Jones throwing error.

Game Ball…

• Goes to Ryan Church for catching the ball with two-hands to end the game.

Johan Santana takes the hill for the Mets tomorrow night as they start a two-game series with the Phillies at Citi Field.

Regis Courtemanche:  Whether it is hitting with runners in scoring position, their starting pitching, or something else, what do you think is the Mets’ biggest issue right now?

Matthew Cerrone:  In terms of talent, I’d say the starting pitching.  I’m not worried about them as a staff, so much as I’m worried about them as individuals, and that all three, Maine, Pelfrey and Perez, seem to be in a funk at the same time.

Jordan Zakarin: I’m not too worried about Maine and Pelfrey… But with Ollie, this may have been a $36 million mistake.  Just because a guy gets a big contract doesn’t mean he’s going to be good.  Look at Zito in San Francisco.  The Mets will at some point have to go out and get another starter - whether that’s a top guy or a middle of the rotation guy depends on Pelfrey, I think.

Brandon Eddy:  I realize the lack of solid pitching and clutch hitting will take precedence here, but I am equally concerned with our alarming rate of errors (both mental and physical) in the last two weeks. It seems the team doesn’t have an edge and lacks focus at the worst possible times.

Regis Courtemanche: The errors are bizarre, but hey, the Nationals already have 20! Seriously though, if the starting pitching continues to be erratic, the Mets will be very active before the trade deadline, similar to how the Brewers were with Sabathia last year. As far Wright’s struggles at the plate, he will turn it around sooner rather than later.

Jordan Zakarin:  It’s not so much the pitching, hitting or fielding in particular that I’m worried about (although the rotation may give me my very first ulcer), it’s more that this is the same team, more or less, that fell short in ‘06 and collapsed the last two years.

I’m sure they play hard and want to win, but I would have liked to see a change in the culture.  You can’t really trade the core of Wright, Reyes and Beltran, or Santana or Pelfrey, but bringing in someone in the outfield, maybe a first base to replace Delgado, something should have been changed.

As much as he annoyed people, a guy like Paul Lo Duca would have been perfect.  Not him specifically, but someone like him.  I just fear the window has shut.  Of course, ask me after they rip off a seven-game winning streak, and maybe I’ll answer differently.

Brandon Eddy:  I agree, Jordan.  I feel like I am in a time warp since 2006.  Other than some players here and there and the manager, not much has changed.  If this team doesn’t turn it around quickly then something big needs to be done.  The core of the team may be in need of a culture shock.

Regis Courtemanche: Good point, Jordan.  I don’t know if it’s me or the team hanging on to the memory of 2006, but it’s like they keep trying to recreate their success from that season by patching holes.  All the expectations may also be weighing them down.  I wish they would just stop pressing and start having fun, because they just look flat to me.

Matthew Cerrone:  Honestly, I think we tend to project a lot of our feelings on to the team, which is not to say they too aren’t feeling frustrated, fearful, etc., but I know we are feeling this was as fans.  Regis mentions fun, and this is important, because the team has not been a whole lot of fun to watch in the last two years, even when they’re winning, because I’m constantly holding on for dear life for fear a massive collapse may be in store.

In the end, like I’ve been writing, I just don’t think we trust the team right now.  Whether justified, appropriate or not, it is what it is – and until they get that trust back, we’re all going to be a bit edgy.

For a full recap and boxscore, go to SNY.tv.

The least you should know…

• The Mets got on the board first with Gary Sheffield’s two-run triple, plating Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran.
• Speaking of Cora, he had a good night filling in for Luis Castillo. The veteran infielder went 2-3 with two runs scored and one walk, steal and RBI each.
• Livan Hernandez was solid in 5 1/3 IP with five K’s and two earned runs.
• The Marlins were carried by Jorge Cantu, who torched the Mets with two home runs and five RBI.

Other Thoughts…

• Despite another two strikeouts by David Wright, it was good to see him get a two-out hit with a runner on second. Hopefully he can build on it.
• I love watching Bobby Parnell pitch. The velocity and movement on his fastball is looking really good. He also showed some guts tonight by getting out of a jam in the 6th inning.
• Wow it is scary when the Marlins have Cameron Maybin, Emilio Bonifacio and Alfredo Amezaga flying around the base paths. They resemble an Olympic relay team.
• Why? Why? Why do managers have a lefty warming up in the bullpen for no reason? Sean Green obviously didn’t have it tonight but Jerry Manuel kept him in to face John Baker who walked. Then Green throws a meatball to Cantu. I just don’t get it.

Johan Santana closes out the three-game series versus the Marlins tomorrow afternoon at Citi Field.

Brandon Eddy: After starting the season 1-10, which included blowing three straight games last weekend, Nationals management didn’t waste time by shaking up the bullpen on Monday. Do you see the trio of Garrett Mock, Kip Wells and Jason Bergmann stabilizing the bullpen for the long or short term? And what kind of message do you think it sent through the clubhouse?

Ed from Federal Baseball: I’ve been arguing for Jason Bergmann moving into the bullpen for some time now. In his first Spring Training working strictly in relief, Bergmann threw 11.1 innings without allowing an earned run, and the fact that he had an option remaining was cited as one of several reasons he was sent to Triple-A to start the season, so you can argue that he should have been here from the beginning.

“Acting” GM Mike Rizzo was with Arizona when the D-Backs drafted Garrett Mock in 2004, and Mr. Rizzo was the Nationals’ Assistant GM when Washington acquired him in a trade in ‘06. There’s talk that Mock’s being groomed as the next closer should Joel Hanrahan falter, so Mock and Bergmann could both play important roles the rest of the way. Kip Wells is 10 years removed from being a 1st Round pick, he’s bounced around and he’s one of those guys you sign and hope he still has something. He earned a job and a promotion so far, so who knows?

If the Nationals do trade Nick Johnson or one of their outfielders this season, it will be for pitching, but I think the biggest boost to the pitching might come from the Draft…if the Nationals can sign San Diego State University’s Stephen Strasburg. As for the message the bullpen moves sent, along with Lastings Milledge’s demotion, the Nationals have let the players know that there are other options in the organization, which hasn’t been the case until recently with this franchise.

Brandon Eddy: Despite a two-hour rain delay in his MLB debut, Jordan Zimmermann was impressive on Monday night. He worked out of trouble and stayed aggressive in his six innings of work. How important was that win, not only for Zimmermann, but for the team after their poor start to the season?

Ed from Federal Baseball: That two-hour wait to make his major league debut must have been excruciating for Jordan Zimmermann. DC’s “Acting” GM Mike Rizzo predicted early this spring that Zimmermann would make the rotation, and he was ranked as the top prospect in the organization by just about everyone who makes lists, so his debut generated a good deal of interest from the core of the fanbase and even registered in the baseball world more than most Nationals’ debuts.

I see Zimmermann’s rise as a sign that the work the Nationals have done to replenish the system is finally paying off. The fact that he went toe to toe with Derek Lowe and earned the win was impressive, and the fact that Zimmermann’s win is one of only 3 the Nationals have so far, with 22-year-old Shairon Martis having won the other two, is one of the few positives to point to early.

Brandon Eddy: My last question is in regards to Ryan Zimmerman’s contract extension. Would you agree or disagree that the Nationals potentially got a discount on Zimmerman? Nine million a season is definitely nothing to sneeze at, but if he reaches his offensive potential in 2009 and beyond, his price tag could have gone much higher when he hit free agency. Please break down the deal in a positive and negative view.

Ed from Federal Baseball: I think it’s tough to judge Ryan Zimmerman’s worth since he’s succeeded on a losing team in what’s generally been considered an inferior lineup. The comparisons I always hear are Dustin Pedroia (25yo, 6-years/$40.5M), and Ryan Braun (25yo, 8-years/$45.0M). Zimmerman, (24yo, 6-years/$45.0M) is a year younger, and has more MLB experience than either Pedroia or Braun, so I think Zimmerman got about what the market dictated, (though Pedroia has won a World Series and an AL MVP Award, and Braun has put up far better power numbers).

I think Zimmerman enjoys his position as the cornerstone and face of the Nationals’ franchise, and the Nationals have marketed him as such, so as they continue to struggle this was an important move to make to show the fanbase they’re serious about building around their young stars. Zimmerman may have been able to get more in a few years, but it’s impressive that he got $45 million now when there’s not a lot of money being handed out.

As for a negative view of the deal, with the Dunn signing, and now Zimmerman, the Nationals have spent a lot of money just months before they’re going to have to try to sign a #1 pick, and the #10 pick. They better keep the checkbook open.

Brandon Eddy: Great stuff. Thanks Ed!

Although O’Day posted a 0.00 ERA over four games, Davidoff writes that Mets officials were frustrated with him allowing all three of his inherited runners score.

…geez, imagine if the Mets showed more urgency with the bullpen last season…

Meanwhile, Adam Rubin of the Daily News reports that Nelson Figueroa has cleared waivers and will return to Triple-A Buffalo

…i am glad to hear nelson cleared and hopefully he will have another shot as a long reliever or spot starter …

For a full recap and boxscore, go to SNY.tv.

The least you should know…

• The Mets scored four runs on 10 hits in the first five innings, but had only one hit from the 6th inning on.
• Oliver Perez pitched a solid four innings but couldn’t get past the 5th inning, surrendering a total of four runs on six hits.
• Luis Castillo continued his hot start to the 2009 season with a 2nd inning triple and 6th inning single.
• Following Daniel Murphy’s botched attempt at a line-drive, the Cardinals scored two in the 8th inning to take a 6-4 lead.

Other Thoughts…

• It was great to see the offense alive and kicking in the first five innings, but we can’t forget about the last four fellas.
• I am not going to kill Murphy for the loss by himself. If Perez would have done his job and pitch into the 6th inning, the Mets probably would have won this game.
• Slide Carlos Beltran! Slide!
• I would like to know how many times people have told Khalil Greene he looks like Jeff Spicoli.

John Maine takes the hill for the Mets tomorrow, in the second game of a three-game series with the Cardinals.

“He didn’t have a single moderately difficult play, so I can’t tell you whether it’s crazy or not. I’m skeptical of the plan, though. The OF->2b and 3b->2b conversions don’t often work out unless the guy was a fair shortstop to begin with.”

Later in the chat, Law was asked where do you think the Mets will draw the line on Oliver Perez, 6-years $80 million or 4-years $60 million? Law’s answer:

“No way I’d go 6 years with him. That would go into the worst contract of the offseason discussion.”

As far as the Mets are concerned, Olney writes:

“It seems all but certain that the Mets will work to dump Luis Castillo, whose signing was a mistake, and Hudson would fit New York perfectly in so many ways. He would give the Mets tremendous defense at second, covering a lot of the ground on the right side that Carlos Delgado doesn’t cover, and as a switch-hitter, he would fit in perfectly between lead-off man Jose Reyes and those who follow. But beyond all the on-field pluses that he would provide, the chatty Hudson would give the Mets another guy who is comfortable with the media — and in this way, he would give relief to David Wright, Delgado and Carlos Beltran.

The guess here is that Hudson would really help the mercurial Reyes maintain a level of consistency, and help the whole team work through the cloud of doubt that will inevitably hover over the team next September, when questions about the 2007 and 2008 late-season failures will pop up.”

Other potential suitors listed by Olney include the White Sox, Indians, Angels, Cubs, Cardinals, Reds, Yankees and Diamondbacks.

Before dislocating his left wrist on August 9th, Hudson was hitting .305 with 41 RBI and 40 XBH.