Logo

MIAMI -– Notes and quotes from the Mets’ 7-2 Opening Day win here over the Marlins:

— Johan Santana was superb in his NL debut, throwing just 100 pitches in seven innings of two-run ball. Santana struck out five of the final nine batters he faced and walked just two. His inning-ending strikeout of Hanley Ramirez with two on in the fifth was considered Santana’s high point, but the Mets had no complaints about anything the left-hander did today.

“Santana was outstanding,’’ Willie Randolph said. “He was pounding the zone all day. He threw even better than he looked and made pitches when he had to. It’s nice to have a big horse start things right for you.’’

— The Mets’ six-run fourth inning topped the previous franchise mark for runs in one inning on Opening Day set in 1979, when the Mets had a five-run seventh in a win over the Cubs.

— David Wright’s three-run double was the big hit for the Mets in the fourth, but Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes were also key contributors. Beltran and Reyes were a combined 4-for-9 with two runs scored and an RBI. Both of Beltran’s hits were doubles.

— Catcher Brian Schneider was getting much praise afterward for a diving save that prevented Luis Castillo’s errant throw from going into the Marlins’ dugout in the fifth inning.

— Carlos Delgado didn’t do anything to stop the questions about his bat speed, going 0-for-3 and leaving two runners on base.

— Even with gorgeous weather and a hefty boost from snow-bird Mets fans, the Marlins drew just 38,308 for Opening Day in spacious Dolphin Stadium.

— Pedro Martinez makes his season debut Tuesday night against the Marlins’ Rick VandenHurk. Pedro is 5-2 with a 1.89 career ERA at Dolphin Stadium, while VandenHurk -– a righty –- carried a 6.83 ERA last season. Looks like a mismatch.

For more on Santana’s day and the Mets’ opening win, read Tuesday’s edition of The Post …

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy