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April 16- RHP Duaner Sanchez returned to the major leagues after nearly a two-year absence and threw a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday night. "It's good to get this out of the way and we can go from here," Sanchez said. Sanchez injured his shoulder in a traffic accident in July 2006 and needed a pair of surgeries. ... Prior to Wednesday's game, a moment of silence was held for the fan who lost his balance on a Shea Stadium escalator and fell to his death after Tuesday's game. Antonio Nararainsami, 36, of Brooklyn, was leaving the game with his two daughters and several other relatives when he fell from an escalator below the left field stands. Nararainsami landed on a concrete floor and was rushed to a hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead a half-hour later. Friday's opener of a three-game series in Philadelphia features a matchup of elite lefthanders - Johan Santana of the Mets and Cole Hamels of the Phillies.
At the start of spring training, shortstop Jose Reyes said he accepted responsibility for the Mets’ collapse last year and admitted being sensitive to criticism from opposing dugouts. The Florida Marlins said they played with fire in the season finale after watching Reyes celebrate the say before.
For the first two weeks of the season, Reyes played with handcuffs on his personality. Center fielder Carlos Beltran thought it carried over to his performance and pulled him aside.
“I think he missed himself,” Beltran said. “I think we missed him, too. We like what he does. He’s not trying to offend anybody. And if they are offended, we can’t worry about that. He should be himself and the person we need him to be
Reyes said Beltran’s words were liberating.
“I feel like myself. I know I do,” Reyes said. “He told me I was fake. Not the real Jose Reyes. That’s what he saw. He said, ‘You make everybody better when you do what you do best.’ “
METS 3, NATIONALS 2 (14 innings): On the 44th anniversary of the opening of Shea Stadium, the Mets won a thriller when Damion Easley scored on Joel Hanrahan’s second wild pitch in the 14th inning.
With the victory, the Mets completed a sweep of the Nationals and concluded their homestand at 6-3.
Good news all around for the Mets’ pitching, beginning with Nelson Figueroa, who in his second start since replacing Pedro Martinez in the rotation gave up two runs on three hits in seven innings.
Reliever Aaron Heilman had been struggling but pitched a scoreless inning. Also, Duaner Sanchez pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in his second appearance since coming off the disabled list.
• CF Carlos Beltran did not start because of stiffness in his left neck and shoulder. Beltran said he first noticed discomfort Wednesday, but he played and hit a game-winning three-run homer. Beltran said it bothers him hitting from the right side. Beltran appeared in Thursday’s game as a pinch-hitter and struck out. He said expects to play Friday at Philadelphia.
• RF Ryan Church hit second in the order behind SS Jose Reyes for the third straight game. Church said being slotted between Reyes and 3B David Wright would enable him to get more fastballs.
• C Raul Casanova started in place of Brian Schneider because manager Willie Randolph wants to start Schneider for all three games of the weekend series at Philadelphia. It was the second time Casanova caught RHP Nelson Figueroa. “It’s just the way it worked out, really,” manager Willie Randolph said. “I wasn’t thinking about trying to pair them up. We’re not going to get into personal catchers. It’s just the way it happened to work out.”
• RHP Duaner Sanchez pitched 1 2/3 innings. In addition to being stretched out, Sanchez could also be available Friday in Philadelphia. Sanchez is back following nearly a year and a half on the disabled list trying to rehab a dislocated shoulder. “I’m really confident about what I do and how I pitch, and I feel ready,” Sanchez said. “So we’re just going to wait and see.”
• RHP Nelson Figueroa made his second straight strong start since he was brought up from Triple-A New Orleans to replace RHP Pedro Martinez, who was placed on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Figueroa came away with a no-decision after giving up two runs on three hits in seven innings.
By The Numbers: 6.23—RHP Aaron Heilman’s ERA through Sunday.
Quote To Note: “You’re always interested in doing it. That’s an easy something to want to be a part of.”—Mets INF Marlon Anderson, on every player wearing No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson this Tuesday, the anniversary of the Hall of Famer breaking the color barrier.
Medical Watch:
CF Carlos Beltran (stiff neck, shoulder) was limited to pinch-hitting duty April 17 but expected to be back in the lineup the next day.
SS Jose Reyes (tight left hamstring) left the April 11 game, and he didn’t play April 12-13. He returned to action April 15.
RHP Pedro Martinez (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list April 2. He won’t begin throwing until mid-May, pushing his return into June, at the earliest.
LF Moises Alou (hernia) had surgery March 6. He went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 21, and he hopes to return by the end of April. He was swinging the bat in Florida in early April.
LHP Jason Vargas (hip) had surgery March 24. He went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 21. The team had no timetable for his return.
RHP Orlando Hernandez (right foot surgery in October 2007) opened the season on the 15-day disabled list. He began a rehab assignment with Class A St. Lucie on April 3, but he was shut down indefinitely on April 8. He will be in a walking boot until late April.
RHP Matt Wise (strained right forearm) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 2.
C Ramon Castro (strained right hamstring) opened the season on the 15-day disabled list. He might begin a rehab assignment in late April.
RHP Ambiorix Burgos (Tommy John surgery in August 2007) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 21. He likely will miss the entire season.
INF Jose Valentin (pinched nerve in neck) could begin playing with Class A St. Lucie in mid-May.