David Wright and the New York Mets Flourish in Opening-Day Win

With rain clouds looming over much of New York on Opening Day the forecast at Citi Field was sunny as the Mets picked up their first win, 7-1 over the Florida Marlins. Fans are hoping this is a sign of the passing of the darkness that has surrounded the team since the its 2006 NLCS loss.

One of the more compelling examples of this hope was third basemen David Wright's first at-bat.

After much had been made of Wright's 10 home runs in 2009 compared to the 29 he averaged from 2005 to 2008, Wright answered with an opposite-field blast on the second pitch of the at-bat against Marlins starter Josh Johnson.

This two-run shot came after a replay of another opposite-field homer that Wright hit off Johnson in their spring training game five days earlier.

The problem this time was the same as last last Wednesday's game; Johnson went high and away despite Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino calling for it low and away.

This was just minutes late from being the first home run in the plethora of Opening Day games, but defending National League MVP Albert Pujols beat the Mets All-Star to it.

Mets starter Johan Santana also impressed after coming back from late season surgery in 2009, going for six innings with five strikeouts, one earned run on four hits, and two walks in his fifth Opening Day start.

Outfielder Jeff Francoeur performed well in his first season opening game not with the Atlanta Braves, going 1-2 with two RBIs.

And as expected, Opening Day is always a day of firsts.

The game's first pitch was a strike one fastball at the fitting time of 1:11 p.m.

The game's first out came later in the first at-bat as Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan popped out to third base.

The first strike out came in the next at bat as Cameron Maybin missed a 1-2 changeup that broke low and outside of the strike zone—his first of three strikeouts from Santana's circle change.

The first baserunner came from the Mets first batter, as shortstop Alex Cora reached first base on a 2-2 slider.

The first runs came on the aforementioned first inning home run off the bat of Wright.

And the most important first of the season, the first win, was awarded to the Amazins.

The two teams will continue the three game series when Mets starter John Maine (7-6, 4.43 ERA in 2009) takes on Marlins hurler Ricky Nolasco (13-9, 5.06 ERA, and 195 K's). The game is slated to start at 7:10 p.m.