Another homegrown Mets lineup
Jordany Valdespin hits a solo home run in the 2nd inning. (July 7, 2012) Credit: David Pokress
For the second time this season and fourth time in their history, the Mets on Saturday started a totally homegrown lineup in their 3-1 win over the Cubs.
The Mets are 4-0 when they start only players they drafted or signed as amateur free agents. The other times were this April 26 against Miami and twice in 1971 (Sept. 17 and 19 at Pittsburgh).
Manager Terry Collins handed out kudos, though not by name, to former Mets general manager Omar Minaya and other departed executives from the time before the Sandy Alderson regime.
"I just think it's a great tip of the cap to the people ," Collins said. "Sandy's done a great job here and will continue to do a great job here. But once in a while, you reap the benefits of the people before you. And those people put together a pretty good minor-league system and we're seeing the benefits of it."
Rotation spin
Collins said Johan Santana's ankle, which was stepped on by the Cubs' Reed Johnson on Friday, was "a little tender today." But because Santana is not expected to start until the first game after the All-Star break Friday in Atlanta, it isn't thought to be an issue.
Collins said R.A. Dickey will follow Santana in the second-half rotation (unless Dickey's All-Star Game participation forces him to need an extra day).
Trainer's room
Collins said "not much" when asked if Andres Torres' back spasms had improved. Still, the Mets did not place Torres on the disabled list . . . Closer Frank Francisco (strained oblique) threw off a mound for the first time and could see rehab-game action by midweek.
