The Mets ran into a spring training buzz saw on Tuesday as the Braves improved to 13-3 in exhibition play with a 5-1 win.

Irish eyes were smiling on Mets OF Daniel Murphy, who finished 3-4 with a double. He hit the ball hard every time, and would’ve had a four-hit game if it wasn’t for a spectacular catch in center by Atlanta’s Josh Anderson.

Starter Jonathan Niese gave up two runs in four innings of work. He only allowed two hits, but one was a two-run homer off the bat of Anderson in the second inning. That was the last hit the southpaw allowed.

One particularly nice duel came against INF Casey Kotchman. After jumping ahead on Kotchman, Niese had him out in front of three consecutive off-speed pitches of 73, 74, 75mph. Kotchman fouled those off, but then was no match for a 91mph heater high and away. It was one of Niese’s three strikeouts.

-Brad

Bisons.com is at the impressive Wild World of Sports Complex (30+ fields) at Disney for the Mets game against the Atlanta Braves today.

A great crowd of about 10,000 is on hand for St. Patty’s Day at the ballpark. The Mets and Braves players are sporting special green caps and shamrocks have been painted on the infield dirt at second, short and behind the second base bag. Of course, the crowd has followed suit with plenty of green apparel.

With Johan Santana back at Tradition Field, the Mets are going with lefty Jonathan Niese today. One of the pitchers in the mix for the back-end of New York’s rotation, Niese has had the exact same pitching line in each of his first two spring starts: 2.0IP, 2H, 2R, 2BB, 2K.

The ceremonial first pitch went to Florida-native and Arizona Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin. Boldin was Florida’s High School Mr. Football in 1998 and attended Florida State University.

Boldin got a big hand for his pitch, but it paled in comparison to the one received by his mound escort…Goofy!

-Brad Bisbing

Bisons.com noticed a pair of nice signs at Mets minor league camp today.

First was infielder Junior Spivey, who was signed by the Mets to a minor league contract. The 34-year old won a world series championship with Arizona in 2001 and has played 457 games with the Diamondbacks, Brewers and Nationals.

Bisons fans last saw him at Coca-Cola Field as part of the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2007. He did not play last season.

And, then there was the sign to the right, which hung above the door to the minor league complex. It was great to see our new logo along side the rest of the Mets minor league system. A nice touch if you ask me.

-Brad Bisbing

Off day for the Mets, but the fields in Port St. Lucie were busy with minor league intra-squad games on Monday.

One note from today as RHP Tony Armas Jr. was reassigned to minor league camp.

The 30-year old put up some great numbers with New Orleans last season before being hampered by an abdominal muscle strain. Check out these numbers in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League – 2.54ERA, 102.2IP, 85H, 20BB, 88K.

Armas has plenty of big league experience. A 12-game winner with Montreal in 2002, the Venezuelan-native is 53-65 with a 4.65ERA in 185 big league games.

And speaking of pitching…

Johan Santana will not travel with the Mets on Tuesday to play Atlanta. Instead, the Mets ace will throw in a minor league intra-squad game at the team’s complex.

-Brad Bisbing

The Mets may have an off day scheduled, but unfortunately there’s been little rest for anyone that is in camp. The Bisons staff was already at Traditions Field as the sun started to rise this morning with many minor league players following shortly after.

No matter if you’re fighting for a spot in Buffalo or in “A” ball you’re not going to get much rest in spring training.

Players in minor league camp have been arriving at the complex by 7 a.m. for treatment and starting team meetings. They can cover anything from team philosophy to nutritional advice. After breaking out of class, players split up for work based on position for drills and then towards the end of the day, take batting practice, workout and see the trainer if need be.

From 7 a.m. to nearly 6 p.m. over the course of the day – meetings, hours in the sun and lots of hard work to get ready for a season that hardly lets you take a breath. No one said this game was designed to be easy, just ask the hundreds of players in Port St. Lucie.

~ Ben Wagner