By JUSTIN TERRANOVA
Let’s start with the obvious:
Mets new-look bullpen looked great.
Sean Green, J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez combined to get 10 outs and hold on to a win for Johan Santana.
Not so obvious: What would have been the reaction if the bullet that Edwin Encarnacion hit off Green had not been right at left fielder Daniel Murphy?
Manager Jerry Manuel took Santana, who had thrown 99 pitches, out with two outs and a runner on second in the sixth inning with a 2-1 lead. Green came in and gave up a rocket, but Murphy was able to snare it. If that ball were in the gap, the game would have been tied (let the second-guessing begin). The bullpen cruised after that.
The Yankees new-look rotation looked not so great.
CC Sabathia was shelled by the Orioles in his Yankees debut. The most disturbing fact was that Sabathia did not strike out a single batter, while walking five.
Not so obvious: I would caution not to overreact – Sabathia’s previous four Opening Day starts, counting yesterday, have produced an 8.50 ERA. He usually bounces back, but not pretty yesterday in Baltimore.
Heilman strong in Cubs debut
The Mets bust is now with the Cubs. He entered yesterday’s game against the Astros with runners on first and second and nobody out in the seventh inning, trying to protect a 3-0 lead. On Heilman’s very first pitch, he got Hunter Pence to ground into a double play.
Houston’s Michael Bourn did follow that up with an infield single to drive in a run, but still an impressive start for Heilman with his new team.
At least Scott Schoeneweis was true to his Mets form. Schoeneweis, now with the Diamondbacks, entered against the Rockies in the top of the seventh with Arizona clinging to an 8-7 lead. Colorado’s Seth Smith (yes, that Seth Smith) led off and promptly homered to tie the game at 8. But Arizona did rally for a 9-8 win.
Griffey back at it in Seattle
Ken Griffey Jr. blasted a home run in his return to the Mariners against the Twins’ young lefty ace Francisco Liriano. Griffey enjoyed his best years in Seattle and it seems only right that’s where his career should end.
