Martinez to start all three Subway games
New York Mets' Fernando Martinez (26) is tagged out by Washington Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa, right, while trying to steal second base during the fifth inning. (March 1, 2011) Credit: AP
Fernando Martinez was quick to point out that he has been in a Subway Series before. He played in five of the six games against the Yankees in 2009. "I had two hits off [Andy] Pettitte," he said.
So Martinez has had a taste of this. More importantly for him, he'll be in the lineup all weekend in the Bronx. Terry Collins said Thursday that Martinez will be the Mets' designated hitter Friday night and Saturday night and will play rightfield with Carlos Beltran as the DH on Sunday.
"I just prepare to be ready for anything," said Martinez, who was recalled eight days ago but has had only one start and seven total plate appearances. "If it's one at-bat every day, play the whole game -- I prepare my mind for anything."
Good day for Bay
Jason Bay will not be moving up to the No. 2 hole anytime soon, even after Collins let it slip Wednesday that he had been considering it for the slumping leftfielder. Bay, still hitting cleanup Thursday, went 3-for-4 with two singles and a double.
"He came here to be a run-producer, and hopefully today builds up his confidence," Collins said. "It never got to where we talked about him moving."
Bay had all three hits off Livan Hernandez, against whom Bay had been 3-for-17. Bay also made a sliding catch on Ivan Rodriguez's sinking liner in the sixth to preserve Dillon Gee's no-hitter -- for a few more minutes at least.
Extra bases
The Mets announced that ticket-holders for Wednesday night's rain-soaked game can redeem those tickets, used or unused, for free tickets to the May 30 game against the Pirates. That game is a 7:10 p.m. start. Tickets can be redeemed only in person and in advance of May 30 at Citi Field.
