PORT ST. LUCIE — Like John Maine the night before, Johan Santana can’t wait for the regular season to get here.
The Orioles went down so quietly against Santana on Thursday night that the only drama was what the Metsâ ace did with his bat.
Santana looked like he will make the adjustment to hitting in the NL just fine, doubling to right in his first at-bat during an eventual 7-0 Grapefruit League victory over the hapless Oâs.
A feeble Baltimore lineup mustered just five hits against him in six innings. Santana threw 80 pitches, striking out seven and walking just one.
Santana’s final spring start is likely to be next Tuesday here against the Braves. The Mets still havenât named Santana their Opening Day starter, but Willie Randolph indicated last night that itâs all but a formality.
