MIAMI -â Notes and quotes from the Metsâ 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 Santanaâs high point, but the Mets had no complaints about anything the left-hander did today.
“Santana was outstanding,ââ Willie Randolph said. “He was pounding the zone all day. He threw even better than he looked and made pitches when he had to. Itâs nice to have a big horse start things right for you.ââ
— The Metsâ 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 Wrightâs 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 Beltranâs hits were doubles.
— Catcher Brian Schneider was getting much praise afterward for a diving save that prevented Luis Castilloâs errant throw from going into the Marlinsâ 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 Marlinsâ Rick VandenHurk. Pedro is 5-2 with a 1.89 career ERA at Dolphin Stadium, while VandenHurk -â a righty â- carried a 6.83 ERA last season. Looks like a mismatch.
For more on Santanaâs day and the Metsâ opening win, read Tuesdayâs edition of The Post â¦


