GAME 3: OLIVER TWIST -- UNEVEN PITCHING PERFORMANCE DOOMS PEREZ, METS TO 8-6 LOSS

Since his July 31, 2006 acquisition, the Mets have truly never known which Oliver Perez will take the mound when he starts a game.

Will it be Dominant Ollie, the pitcher who rises to the occasion on the big stage, such as he did in National League Championship Series Game 7 of 2006, when he handcuffed the Cardinals on one scratched out earned run over six innings?

Or will it be Wild Ollie, who the next season in a must-win late September game against the Florida Marlins plunked three batters in a single inning en route to a crushing loss?

Yesterday at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Dominant Ollie pitched the first two innings, striking out four, but Wild Ollie relieved him for the next 2.1, walking five, as the Reds put together two two-run rallies in the third and fifth innings to wallop the Mets, 8-6.

The Mets rewarded Perez with a comfortable three-run lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI single by Carlos Beltran an a two-run double by Ryan Church, off Reds' starter Bronson Arroyo.

But in the bottom of the frame, Perez gave the runs back, starting it by walking Reds' catcher, Ryan Hanigan. Reds' first-baseman Joey Votto slugged a three-run homer to cap that inning's scoring. Again, the Mets took the lead in the top of the fifth inning on a fielder's choice groundout, but in the bottom, the Reds knocked Perez out with four more runs, aided by two more walks. The biggest blow in that inning was a two-out, two-run single by Reds' shosrtstop Paul Janish, off Mets' reliever Darren O'Day. The Mets would score single runs in the sixth and seveth innings on sacrifice flies, but whatever hopes the Mets had of tying the game in the ninth were quickly extinguished by Reds' closer Francisco Cordero, who struck out the side.

GAME SUMMARY
Winning pitcher -- Arroyo (1-0)
Losing pitcher -- Perez (0-1)
Save -- Cordero (1)
2B -- Church 2, (3)
Home runs -- Votto (2)
RBI -- Beltran (3), Church 2, (2); Votto 4, (7), Delgado 2, (6), Phillips (1), Janish 2, (2)

Stolen bases -- Encarnacion (1)

Caught Stealing -- Reyes (1, 2nd base, Hanigan/Janish)

Runners left on base -- Mets 5, Reds, 5
Runners left in scoring position -- Mets 3, Reds, 3

Errors -- Phillips (1, catch)
Hit batsmen -- O'Day (1, Encarnacion)

Web gems -- None

BULLETIN: TRAGEDY STRIKES ANGELS AS PITCHER ADENHART DIES IN CAR CRASH

Major League Baseball today is mourning the death of 22-year-old Los Angeles Angels right handed pitcher Nick Adenhart who was killed last night in a fatal car crash just hours of pitching six scoreless innings in his 2009 debut, the Los Angeles Times reports. The newspaper reports that Adenhart's car was struck by a minivan which ran a red light and the accident is being treated as a hit-and-run accident.

Adenhart was considered a hot prospect and was being counted on to pick up slack in the Angels' rotation because of injuries to starters John Lackey and Ervin Santana. Adenhart was a teammate last year of current Mets' pitchers, Francisco Rodriguez and Darren O'Day.

GAME 3: METS VS. REDS 12:30 P.M.

The Mets hope to break out and use the broom today at Great American Ballpark in the conclusion of their three-game series against the Reds today, as Oliver Perez takes the mound to battle Bronson Arroyo.

Perez is 9-4 lifetime against the Reds, the most career victories he has racked up against any team and Arroyo lifetime is 4-2 against the Mets. Arroyo went 15-11 last year with a 4.77 ERA. Arroyo and Perez actually tied for last year's National League lead in games started (34) and while Arroyo led all NL pitchers in earned runs allowed (106), Perez led all NL pitchers last season in no-decisions (17) and walks (105).

GAME 2: HANGING ON BY A HAIR -- FRANKIE'S HIGH-WIRE ACT PRESERVES METS 9-7 WIN

In the span of two days, the Mets bullpen went from being invincible to merely human.

Just two days removed from a nearly perfect 3.1 innings in Monday's season opener, relievers Pedro Feliciano, Sean Green, J.J. Putz and closer Francisco Rodriguez combined to allow 3 runs, 4 hits and 2 walks in 4 innings, yet the Mets survived a 9th inning threat to defeat the Cincinnati Reds, 9-7 at Great American Ballpark.

Rodriguez, who earned his second save in as many games, followed his flawless inning Monday by leaving the bases loaded and retired the Reds' final hitter, Laynce Nix on a deep fly ball to centerfield. Rodriguez put himself in peril by walking leadoff hitter Brandon Phillips, but looked to have an easy inning when Jay Bruce popped a hanging breaking ball that fell harmlessly into second baseman Luis Castillo's hands. The next hitter, Edwin Encarnacion appeared to make the second out on a routine ground ball to David Wright, but the first base umpire ruled Encarnacion safe at first base because first baseman Carlos Delgado came off the bag early. Phillips scooted to third on the play, then Rodriguez walked Ramon Hernandez to load the bases.

But Rodriguez, who last year set the Major Leagues single-season saves record with 62, rebounded to strike out Alex Gonzalez swinging on a 3-2 fastball, then put away Nix.

It was no easier for Mets' starter, Mike Pelfrey, who lasted five innings and earned a win, despite allowing 4 first inning runs, 3 of them courtesy of a Joey Votto home run. But Delgado, who hit a two-run homer in the Mets' first inning, added RBIs in the fifth and seventh innings, while centerfielder Carlos Beltran struck the key blow, a go-ahead two-run single off Reds' starter and losing pitcher, Edinson Volquez, in the fifth.

Beltran's single was preceded earlier in the inning by a fielding error by Gonzalez and later in the seventh inning, the Mets benefited from Bruce's slipping and failing to field a Brian Schneider bases-loaded base hit, which cleared the bases and put New York up, 9-5.

GAME SUMMARY

Winning pitcher -- Pelfrey (1-0)

Losing pitcher -- Volquez (0-1)

Save -- Rodriguez (2)

2B -- Phillips (1), Church (1), Wright (1), Schneider (1)

3B -- Taveras (1)

Home runs -- Delgado (1), Votto (1)

RBI -- Delgado 4, (4); Votto 3, (3), Beltran 2, (2), Schneider 3, (3), Bruce 1, (1), Hernandez 1, (1), Dickerson 1, (1)

Stolen bases -- None

Caught Stealing -- Beltran (1/2nd base, Hernandez/Gonzalez); Votto (1/home, Pelfrey/Castillo/Schneider)

Runners left on base -- Mets 6, Reds, 9

Runners left in scoring position -- Mets 4, Reds, 6

Errors -- Reyes (1, throw); Gonzalez (1, fielding), Delgado (1, fielding)

Balk -- Pelfrey (1)Wild Pitch -- Volquez (1)

Web gems -- Reds: Top 1st, shortstop Alex Gonzalez makes diving catch of Jose Reyes line drive

GAME 2: METS AT REDS, 7 PM

The Mets continue their three-game series in Cincinnati tonight, with a 7 p.m. start against the Reds, with Mike Pelfrey (13-11, 3.72 ERA in 2008) to take on 2008 All-Star, Edinson Volquez, (17-6, 3.21 ERA). Volquez started one game last year against the Mets and got a no-decision in a 7-5 Mets win. He lasted 5 innings, giving up 4 earned runs on 8 hits, walking 3 and striking out 3. Pelfrey is 2-2 lifetime against the Reds.

GAME 1 -- METS RELIEVERS ARE THE SEAL DEAL: BULLPEN AIRTIGHT IN 2-1 WIN

Seven times last season, Mets' ace Johan Santana (left) exited a game with a lead, only to have the balky bullpen blow it.
So this afternoon, no one could blame him if he felt his stomach clench and his nerves buckle after being unexpectedly removed in the top of the sixth inning and having to sweat out the next three.
But one momentarily scary line drive and three uneventful innings later, after imported relievers Sean Green, J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez combined to retire 10 of the last 11 opposing hitters, Santana, his teammates and tortured Mets fans could relax. The Mets rode a gutty performance by Santana and a stellar effort by the bullpen to defeat the Cincinnati Reds, 2-1 on a raw, wet Opening Day, despite leaving 12 men on base -- including seven in scoring position. From the start, it seemed some Mets picked up where they left off in 2008.
Jose Reyes, who last year became only the second Met in club history to record more than 200 hits in a season, led off with a single and then stole second base, to add to his franchise-leading total. But in an eerie similarity to so many occasions last season, David Wright failed to bring Reyes home from third base, striking out against Reds' starting pitcher, Aaron Harang, with only one out. The Mets would leave the bases loaded in the fourth inning while Santana kept the Reds scoreless and then broke through in the fifth after left-fielder Daniel Murphy fouled off three 3-and-2 pitches, then drove a solo home run into the right field bleachers.
New York threatened to add to its lead, but Wright was nailed at home on a throw by Reds' right-fielder Jay Bruce on a Carlos Beltran single. It was a tough day on the basepaths for Wright, who, representing a valuable potential insurance run in the top of the ninth inning was picked off first base by pitcher Francisco Cordero.
Murphy drove in the second Mets run in the sixth inning with an RBI groundout before Santana -- who is undefeated since last July -- would be tested and surrender a run. Darnell McDonald lined a broken-bat single to start the inning and advanced to third base on a ground single by Joey Votto which narrowly eluded Santana's glove and an errant throw from Beltran. Brandon Phillips drove home the Reds' only run on a sacrifice fly and Santana exited after getting Jay Bruce on a foul pop to Wright.
That set the stage for Green, making his Mets' debut. A screaming line drive by Edwin Encarnacion at first appeared to be a game-tying extra-base hit to the left-center field gap, but Murphy, who'll never be known for his defense, sprinted over and flagged it down. Green, a sinker-slider pitcher, got three consecutive ground ball outs before giving way to Putz, who hurled a scoreless eighth inning before yielding to Rodriguez, who overpowered Reds' hitters on a weak groundout, a foul pop and a swinging strikeout.
At that moment, Rodriguez characteristically thumped his chest with both hands, then exclaimed while pointing skyward.
Moments later, when he repeated the gesture for good measure, it seemed fitting.
After last season, Santana and his teammates had to feel doubly thankful -- even after just one game.

Winning pitcher -- Johan Santana (1-0)
Losing pitcher -- Aaron Harang (0-1)
Save -- Francisco Rodriguez (1)

Home runs -- Murphy (1)
RBI -- Murphy (2)
Stolen bases -- Reyes (1), Church (1)

Web gems: Ryan Church makes sliding, juggling catch of a Ramon Hernandez line drive, then throws out Edwin Encarnacion scrambling back to first base (bottom second, none out). David Wright makes diving, short-hopped scoop of hard hit drive by Alex Gonzalez, then throws him out (bottom seventh, one out.)

ONCE AGAIN, IT'S ON!

Weather permitting, the Mets take on the Cincinnati Reds from Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. The forecast calls for rain, possibly mixing with snow this afternoon, with a high temperature of 39 degrees. 

The lineups...

Mets

Reyes ss

Murphy lf

Wright 3b

Delgado 1b

Beltran cf

Church rf

Schneider c

Castillo 2b

Santana p

Reds

Haisrton lf

McDonald cf

Votto 1b

Phillips 2b

Bruce rf

Encarnacion 3b

Hernandez c

Gonzalez ss

Harang p

There will be no live updates here for this game, but check back late night, when we open the floodgates for analysis and commentary.