Today, I took my son to Buffalo Bisons opening day, and saw first-hand why Jonathon Niese and Nick Evans didn't make the Mets roster. The game-time temperature was 42 degrees, Evans was colder and Niese was near absolute zero. Niese's line reads 5 hits, 5 runs (all earned) with 3 walks in 2.0 ip. The Paw Sox were putting dents in the outfield walls, and Niese looked lost.Other potential Mets fared just as poorly. Nick Evans went 0-4 with two strikeouts and hit into an inning ending double-play. Eddie Kunz pitched 1.1 innings in relief, walking at one point three out of four batters, forcing in a run. On the bright side, Fernando Martinez looked great, going 2 for 4 with a double and a triple. Bobby Kielty also chalked-up a 2 for 4 day.
The end result: Pawtucket 6, Buffalo 4
Notes:
- Mr. Met was on hand today. I tried to get my kid to pose with him for a picture, but no, Mr. Met scared the %#$& out of him.
- Gov. Paterson, Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Buffalo Mayor and the Erie County Exec. were on hand to throw out the first pitch. All of them bounced the ball and Paterson got booed.
- Jeff Wilpon was on hand as well. I wonder if he stayed to watch the game.
- This isn't the first time the Buffalo Bisons have teamed-up with the Mets. The Bisons were the International League affiliate of the Mets from 1963-1965.
- Fernando Martinez, at the age of 20, is the youngest player to sport a Bisons uniform in fifteen years.
- AAA Baseball is one of the best values in all of sports. Two tickets to the game, program, soda, ice cream, bring your own snacks, parking, game ball, and one carnival game: $28.00.
