For the 3rd day in a row, the Metsies won a ballgame in the final frame, thanks once again to players who mostly likely won't be headed north in April. Mike Pelfrey looked pretty dang good in his three innings. I got to watch most of this one and the one thing that stood out was the *POP* of the ball hitting the catcher's glove while Pelfrey was pitching. He definitely had some life on his fastball today.

Those of you who watched got to see Ramon Castro leg out a triple, although that depends on what your definition of "leg" is. Did I see him stop for a burger at 2nd base?

For the record, Michel Abreu was definitely safe at home. I think the Braves battery was absolutely shocked he plodded 'round 3rd and attempted to score, which is what cost them an easy out and the game. Braves catcher Clint Sammons (that was Sammons, right?) looked as if he was standing 6-8 feet in front of the plate when he got the long-delayed 40-foot relay throw/toss from a flabbergasted Jonathon Rouwenhorst. Still fun to beat the Braves, spring or not. But we can't really take much from these games; except that Billy Wagner still manages to give me agita when he comes on in relief, even when its a day-in-advance scheduled appearance in the 4th inning.

Can anyone explain to me what Javier Lopez was doing in a Braves uni...again?

One week in and my emotions have been as high as Willie Callazo's spring ERA and as low as Delgado's impinged hip. From Johan's debut to Marlon Anderson arriving at Church a day early, I'm already dying for the season to start. March 4th and I've had it with spring training. That's gotta be a first.

Darryl Strawberry was welcomed back to the Mets family and did a good interview with Gary and Keith during the game. "Hey Mex, how ya doin'?" and Daaaaarrrrrryl is back. I wish him luck.

The Phillie's 2007 All-Star southpaw Cole Hamels was upset about a lowball contract offer (one he can't refuse) the Phillies made and hasn't hesitated to let the media know about it. When exactly is this guy a free agent? I'm sure we'll have a few million to spare after the new digs open in Flushing. Seems to be par for the course over in cheese-steak town; slugger Ryan Howard went through the same thing last year. Cheese is right.

On a more serious note, Phillies first-base coach and ex-Dodger great Davey Lopes has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is scheduled for surgery later this month. Our prayers are with you Mr. Lopes.

If you're feeling sorry for yourself as a Mets fan, check out what's going on at Cubs camp. Then again, these are the Cubbies.

''I anticipated a real easy spring training this year,'' manager Lou Piniella said Monday. ''I don't know. ... Is there such a thing as an easy Cubs spring training?''

Is that a rhetorical question Lou?

Scott Schoeneweis and Jorge Sosa are on the block. Mets GM Omar Minaya has supposedly let other teams know they are available for trade. Good riddance to both. The Mets got their pocket picked with the Schoeneweis signing (10.8M over 3) last year and Sosa hasn't done a thing without steroids. Reading down further in that Daily News article:

"...bullpen coach Guy Conti, a local resident and former Dodgers employee, recalled sitting on a porch at Dodgertown talking baseball with Johnny Podres. During one of those chats, Podres instructed Conti about the changeup that Conti eventually taught to Martinez."

Funny how things turn out.