For the second straight season the Mets’ Kaz Matsui (above) had a miserable spring training. And for the second straight year, he’s made a big impression on Opening Day, homering just minutes ago off Cincy’s Paul Wilson to put the Mets ahead, 1-0.

(UPDATE : 3 run HR to right center by Adam Dunn off Pedro, 3-1 Cincinnati, top of the 2nd. Also, the season is 30 minutes old and Ken Griffey Jr. hasn’t been carried off the field. Yet.)

(UPDATE II : 2 run HR for Carlos Beltran off Paul Wilson to deep right center, scoring Jose Reyes. They’re tied at 3 in the top of the third. I’m watching the Fox Ohio feed and have yet to see one Pete Rose commercial for Gold Star Chili.)

(UPDATE IV : just saw an ad for Skyline Chili. Fuck Charlie Hustle and his bogus salads!)

(UPDATE V : about time David Weathers began repaying the Mets all that money. A 3 run, 5 hit 6th inning for New York, Cliff Floyd (2 run HR off Kent Merker) and Beltran are a combined 6 for 8 with 5 RBI’s ; 2 hits apiece for Reyes and Mientkiewicz. Manny Aybar relieved Pedro in the bottom of the 7th and allowed the Reds to margin the margin via doubles by Joe Randa and Jason “Don’t Call Me Johnny” LaRue. Jesus fucking christ, Rich Aurilla and David Weathers, that was some kind of off-season for Cincinnati.)

(UPDATE 666 : Braden Looper Sucks Like A Beast. The Mets “closer” gave up a lead-off single to Austin Kearns, a two run HR to Adam Dunn, and a game-winning blast to left field by Joe Randa (above). For all the speculation about whether or not the Mets middle relievers could protect a lead, perhaps Looper is as big a cause for concern as anything else.)