PostGame: Mets 1 Padres 2

The Mets (30-30) lost to the Padres (27-37) tonight in San Diego.

This game could have been a great one for the Mets, but we just couldn’t score runs. We stranded the bases loaded with two outs two innings in a row, and out of those six baserunners we got 4 outs and 1 run out of those situations. We need to hit for Johan. When he’s on his game we need to support him. He was just pretty much left alone last night.

Notes from the game:

• The Mets stranded 6 baserunners in two innings, and were no-hit through 4 innings. The only run scored was when there was one out, with Wright up, and bases loaded - he crushed the ball to left center, but Scott Hairston made an incredible diving catch so only one run scored. As Gary Cohen said, that hit was a grand slam in any other ballpark in the National League. Wright was robbed of a potential bases clearing double.
• Johan Santana was hit in the shoulder while trying to bunt, and then gave up the two runs the next inning. It seemed like it affected him.
• Robinson Cancel made his first appearance for the Mets.
• Fernando Tatis kept his slump up, and went 0-4 and struck out to make the first out of the 9th.

It was a great game to watch, we just fell short at the end. The Mets will play the Padres again today, and PETCO Park, at 10:05 PM. Be sure to watch as Oliver Perez takes on Cha-Seung Baek.

Game Recap: Nationals 10 -- Mets 5

Every time Oliver Perez pitches, the Mets fear they will get this sort of start out of him. When Perez was removed, the Mets bullpen fared even worse. The Mets dropped game two to the Nationals by a score of 10-5.

Perez lasted 5 2-3 of an inning, allowing five earned runs on six hits and four walks. Perez struck out three, and benefited from a double play in the third inning. The Nats got on the board against Perez in the bottom of the fifth, when after two walks and a single to start the inning, Felipe Lopez singled to center field, driving in two runs. Later in that inning, Ryan Zimmerman brought home Ronnie Belliard on an RBI ground out. Perez went out to start the sixth and allowed two singles and recorded two outs before being removed in favor of Aaron Heilman.

This was one of those Perez-will-be-wild-and-walk-everyone kind of games. It was bound to happen sooner or later. He's got the talent, but he still lacks the concentration a pitcher needs. Still, this wasn't downright bad, but it wasn't good either.

Heilman entered the game with two on and two out in the sixth inning. The first batter he faced, Lastings Milledge, working as a pinch hitter, was quickly walked to load the bases. Lopez came to the plate again, and knocked a grand slam home run to the right field bleachers. Heilman then allowed two singles before getting Austin Kearns to strike out swinging. Heilman's line: .1 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K.

I'm actually starting to feel bad for this guy. Nothing he does works out. Eighth inning or sixth inning, he still gets rocked. Rough, but he's a professional baseball player, so he needs to step up and get back on track ASAP.

Jorge Sosa came in for the seventh, getting the first out of the inning before Aaron Boone reached base on a Jose Reyes fielding error. Willie Harris followed this with a walk and Wil Nieves came to the plate and singled to right, bringing Boone home. Johnny Estrada, pinch hitting, again singled to right, scoring Harris. After recording another out, Sosa allowed another RBI single to right off the bat of Christian Guzman.

See: Above.

Pedro Feliciano made an appearance and recorded outs, three of them, allowing a single to Wily Mo Pena and striking out Boone in the eighth inning.

Celebrate! A relief pitcher didn't give up runs!

The Mets jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but could not hold on. Two out RBI hits were the specialty tonight, as all but one run came with two outs.

In the third, Raul Casanova singled to right field to start off the inning. After being sacrificed to second by Perez, and moving to third on a ground out to the right side by Reyes, Casanova came home on Luis Castillo's first hit of the game.

First two out RBI: Castillo. He had a very good night, and a very good series overall. Read on...

The next inning, Ryan Church walked to leadoff. After Carlos Delgado struck out swinging, Church stole second with Angel Pagan at bat. Pagan later walked, and Casanova put a charge into one, to the warning track, which allowed Church to move to third. Perez came to the plate and helped his own cause, singling up the middle and driving home Church.

Second two out RBI: Perez. Strange place to get your first two RBI's of a game, that's for sure. I love when Perez hits. He does that little hop swing. It's just beautiful.

Castillo singled to right to start the fifth. With David Wright batting, Castillo took second on a wild pitch. Castillo moved to third when a pickoff attempt hit him in the leg and skipped into the outfield. With two out, Church singled to right, driving home Castillo.

I love me my Ryan Church. How good is this guy? I'm OK with people jumping on the Church bandwagon, because he's just so good.

The rest of the Mets runs came on solo shots. In the seventh, with two out of course, Carlos Beltran hit a home run to the first row of seats in the right field bleachers. In the ninth, Marlon Anderson came in for a pinch hitting opportunity and crushed his first home run of the year to right.

I'll say it again. I love Beltran's swing. So sweet. Too bad he struck out three times tonight. But when he makes contact, I like it. It's only rivaled by Moises Alou's swing, which we should see at Shea very soon. Good for Anderson, who was only 1-15 before this at bat. He needs to get going in case we need him late in a game.

Numbers: Castillo: 3-5, RBI, run tonight, 5-10, RBI, 2 runs last two games...Castillo: 6 SB this season...Church and Casanova: 2 hits apiece...XBH: Church (2B), Beltran (HR), Anderson (HR)...Mets: 11 hits...Team LOB: 7...Perez pitches: 100 (58 for strikes)...Beltran: 3 K's...Delgado and Wright: 0-4...Felipe Lopez: 6 RBI...

Game Ball: Castillo.

Game Recap: Mets 7 -- Nationals 2

If we were casting a Hollywood movie with the Mets players, the role of "The Stopper" would undoubtedly go to Johan Santana. The Mets bats woke up and Santana's "B-game" was good enough, as the New York Mets broke their three game skid, beating the Washington Nationals by a score of 7-2.

Santana allowed a bit too many hits, seven to be exact, through his seven innings of work. He got off to a rough start, not getting his first 1-2-3 inning until the fifth. Santana allowed a single in the first, two in the second, another in the third, and two more in the fourth before opposing pitcher Tim Redding doubled to center field, driving in the only two runs of the game for Washington. After Redding's hit, Santana set down ten Nationals in order to finish out his day.

It didn't even seem like Santana had his best stuff, giving up seven hits, but it's the Nationals, and he's one of the best pitchers in the game. This is exactly why Santana will dominate the NL. The strike zone was pretty inconsistent, as a few of us noted in our live game thread. Still, a dominant performance over the hapless Nats. Stellar play in the second inning from Santana too. Coming off the bag and fielding a tapper in front of the mound. He snagged it, planted, and threw a one hopper to Carlos Delgado, who dug it out. Good stuff.

Duaner Sanchez entered the game in the eighth inning with a three run lead. Sanchez set down the team in order, striking Ryan Zimmerman in the process. Billy Wagner entered in the ninth with a five run lead, allowed a leadoff walk to Austin Kearns, and then got Lastings Milledge and Wil Nieves to strike out to end the game.

Sanchez should not be moved from the eighth inning role. He's there, he's good, don't touch him. Wagner has thrown eight innings of no-hit baseball this season. If he gets one more season, can that count for the Mets?

The Mets pounded out 11 hits against the Nationals, only seven of which actually made it out of the infield.

In the second, Carlos Beltran doubled to right to start the inning. After a Ryan Church ground out to the right side, moving Beltran to third, Delgado grounded out to short, which brought Beltran home for the first run of the game.

That's right. Delgado got an RBI. Don't pass out.

The Mets were held off the board until the fifth, where an infield hit helped the Mets score one. With one out, Brian Schneider and Santana worked out back to back walks. After a fielders choice off the bat of Jose Reyes, eliminating Santana on the basepath, Luis Castillo singled to short, driving in Schneider.

A 2-out RBI...off the bat of Castillo...Maybe this game was a dream?

The sixth innings was the inning of cue shots and small ball. Let's start at the top: Beltran singled to left to start the inning. Church then hit one off the end of the bat, which spun away from a charing Zimmerman. His throw to Nick Johnson at first went wild, allowing Beltran, who came to a complete stop at second base, to go 0-60, motoring around to score. Church moved to third on the play. After a Delgado foul ball pop out (no surprise), Angel Pagan hit another cue shot, this time to Ray King. King fielded but made a terrible throw to first, allowing Church to score. Pagan then stole second and third on consecutive pitches, allowed Schneider to bring him home with a ground out. Three runs on three hits, none of which left the infield.

I'm sure the Mets will take it anyway they can get it, and so will I. It wasn't a "big hit" but they were effective, and that's all that matters. They took advantage of miscues and manufactured a few runs, and that's what I like to see out of this team. To Pagan: Speed kills (see: Reyes).

The Mets added some insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning, when Church crushed a ball deep to right field. Before the hit, Castillo singled and Wright walked, and they both came around to score on Church's deep single.

Well, well. The Mets weren't happy with just five runs, and that is a very good sign. I like the fight they showed tonight. Where the heck was that in Chicago? Nevermind that. Look forward. Keep this up.

Numbers: Santana @ the plate: 2-2, 1 BB, 2 doubles...Only starters without hits: Reyes and Wright...Stolen bases: Reyes, Pagan (2), Castillo...Team LOB: 8...Santana pitch count: 97...Schneider: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI...Church: 2-5, 2 RBI...Milledge: 0-4, 2 K...

Game Ball: Santana

Game Recap: Cubs 8 -- Mets 1

Another game for the Mets that began with a pitchers duel and ended in a blowout. The Chicago Cubs tacked on runs in the eighth inning, again, en route to a 8-1 blowout and series sweep of the New York Mets.

I rarely throw commentary in this early in the game, but this game was ridiculous. I'm not going to go into all out detail as usual, because even after a few hours, I'm furious.

Nelson Figueroa was betrayed by his defense, as misplays and goofs in the field, doomed the Mets and Figueroa. He allowed three earned runs, all of which came off blunders, on seven hits through five plus innings. Figueroa walked five while striking out two.

Figueroa didn't deserve this loss. Sure he walked people, but he got out of a bunch of jams. If it was possible, the defense should be charged with the loss.

From my live blog:
"Cedeno knocks a ball the other way, down the first base line. Pagan can't make the play and boots the ball off the hop. He kicks it around against the wall in right, allowing Fukudome to come all the way around to score. Total misplay by Pagan."

"Lilly grounds one softly to second base. Delgado thinks about making a play on it, thinks better, and starts to go to first. He spies Figueroa coming over from first, who slowed down when Delgado started back to first. Delgado turns away, thinking Figueroa will make the play. Easley eventually flips to Figueroa, but not in time to get Lilly. The bases are loaded. Bonehead play by Delgado."

Scott Schoeneweis pitched 2-3 of an inning, walking one. Joe Smith also pitched 2-3 of an inning, allowing three hits and one earned run. Smith also struck out one. Pedro Feliciano appeared for the third time in a week and did not retire a batter. Jorge Sosa got rocked for the second straight day, allowing four hits, one of them a grand slam to Ronny Cedeno. Sosa let in four earned runs which put the Cubs up for good.

It looked like the Mets just gave up on this game from the pitching standpoint in the sixth inning. Sosa looked great, retiring the side with runners on in the seventh, but then came out in the eighth and just looked absolutely miserable. Another terrible play in the eighth, when the Mets played the infield in, and therefore were unable to turn a double play, which would have ended the inning. Instead, they got the out at home, and the next batter blasted a grand slam to left. Just terrible.

The Mets had chances, but didn't take advantage of them.

The only run came on a bases loaded groundout, which Mark DeRosa went for broke on, and failed. Brady Clark dinked a ball to second, which DeRosa made a diving attempt, but the ball skipped into his glove. Carlos Beltran scored on the play.

Other than that, the Mets had the bases loaded a few times, but just couldn't get the big hit. They looked terrible today, and yesterday. Both days: 5 hits, 1 run. That's just not going to cut it.

Numbers: 1: Hits picked up by Pagan, Delgado, Easley, Clark and Casanova...1: Extra base hit by the Mets (Pagan 2B)...9: Team LOB...Delgado: 1-4, 2 K...15-2: Score over two days in Chicago...Reyes, Wright, Beltran: 0-8...

Game Ball: Figueroa, I guess.

Again, sorry for the change in format/style/detail but this game was absolutely miserable. I churned out over well over 3,000 words in my live blog, and this game needed only one to really explain it: "miserable."

Game Recap: Cubs 7 -- Mets 1

In a game that began as a pitching duel, it ended in a blowout. The Chicago Cubs tacked on runs in the eighth inning and beat the New York Mets by a score of 7-1 Monday night.

John Maine made the start for the Mets, his fourth of the year, and lasted six innings. In those innings, he allowed two earned runs on five hits, two walks, while striking out six. Maine needed 109 pitches to get thought those innings. Maine allowed a few runners on in the first three innings, but was helped out by a runner caught stealing and a few nice plays by the defense. In the fourth, Maine allowed a leadoff single to Derrek Lee, which was followed up by an Aramis Ramirez two-run home run to deep center field.

Maine looked very good tonight. He threw a few mistakes, one which was taken very,very deep for the only runs of the game against him. I would argue this was his best start of the season, as his walks were low and his strikeouts were up. He looked good tonight.

Duaner Sanchez came on for the seventh inning, an inning that started with a error by David Wright. Wright atoned for his sins with two spectacular plays in the field to get the first two outs of the inning as Sanchez worked around it to pitch a hitless and scoreless inning. Aaron Heilman began the eighth and got off to a very rocky start. Another fielding error, this time by Jose Reyes, allowing Lee to reach base. Heilman then plunked Ramirez on the hip, putting two men on base. After a lengthy at bat by Kosuke Fukudome, he eventually singled to load the bases with none out. Heilman then get Mark DeRosa to strike out swinging and Geovany Soto to pop out to second base. Heilman looked like he would get out of the inning unscathed, but Ronny Cedeno singled up the middle, driving home two runs and knocking Heilman out of the game.

Sanchez should be moved into the eighth inning role as soon as possible. Heilman looked terrible to start, then turned it around and I thought he was going to get out of the inning without allowing any runs, and then that happened. The man is a roller coaster, there is no better way to put it.

Jorge Sosa came in to relieve Heilman with two on, and promptly allowed a three-run pinch-hit home run to Felix Pie to cap the inning for the Cubs.

Same thing with Sosa. He can be absolutely lights out one day, and a sieve the next. The bullpen needs some consistency.

Carlos Zambrano shut down the Mets for all but one inning. The Mets had five hits, only one for an extra base hit, and their only run came on a double play ball.

The Mets were held off the board until the sixth inning, where Endy Chavez led off with a double to center field. Maine laid down a sacrifice bunt, but an ill advised throw to third by Soto was too late, and everyone was safe. Reyes then grounded to short to start the double play, which allowed Chavez to sprint home for the Mets only run. The Mets went down in order the next three innings to end the game.

Zambrano was absolutely dealing tonight. Unfortunately, once the Mets got around him, their bullpen was just as solid. The Cubs look good, let me tell you.

Numbers - Four: Number of double plays grounded into...Two: Errors...One: Reyes, Castillo, Delgado, Church, Chavez...2 for his last 28: Carlos Delgado...30: Pitches needed by Heilman...

Game Ball: Maine.

Game Recap: Phillies 5 -- Mets 4

The Philadelphia Phillies broke the New York Mets winning streak Sunday night, as Chase Utley homered twice in the Phillies 5-4 victory in Citizen's Bank Park.

Mike Pelfrey made his third start of the season for the Mets, and gave up a ton of hits. Pelfrey got knocked around in his five innings of work for 10 hits and four earned runs. He walked two and struck out two. Pelfrey got into a lot of jams, but somehow worked out of them for the first few innings, only allowing a first inning solo home run to Utley. Pelfrey only had one 1-2-3 inning, in the second inning, benefiting from a double play off the bat of Eric Bruntlett. Pelfrey consistently worked out of jams until the fifth when he allowed another Utley home run, this one a three run blast, high off the foul pole in right field.

I came to a conclusion tonight: Pelfrey needs Brian Schneider. He struggled mightily but somehow worked out of jam after jam. It finally caught up to him when Utley took him deep again in the fifth. He has good stuff, but he's still young and needs a lot of assistance calling the game.

Jorge Sosa entered the game for the sixth inning, pitching a perfect frame while striking out one. Pedro Feliciano started the seventh and allowed a pinch hit solo home run to Pedro Feliz to right field. Feliciano went on to allow a single to Utley before striking out Ryan Howard. He then walked Pat Burrell and got Geoff Jenkins to pop out. Joe Smith came in the game with two on and two out and got Chris Coste to strike out looking. Smith went on to pitch the bottom of the eighth, retiring the side in order.

Sosa looked very good. Feliciano is struggling lately, which worries me. Is he being used correctly? Smith is absolutely on fire. Hope he can keep this up all season.

The Mets offense was stifled in all but one inning by Phillies pitchers Sunday night.

The team only had two hits through five innings before busting open in the sixth. The inning started with a Jose Reyes leadoff triple off the wall in right field. Luis Castillo delivered, and singled him home, serving the ball to left field. David Wright followed it up with a double to left, moving Castillo to third. Carlos Beltran ripped a single up the middle, which plated both Wright and Castillo. After Beltran stole second base, he came home on a Ryan Church single to right, which tied the game.

That was it for the scoring. Adam Eaton continued to shut down the Mets for the majority of the game. A good inning here from the team, as they strung together a bunch of hits to put some runs on the board. This is something we haven't seen from the team lately. They've been relying on the long ball and a few hits to bring in a few runs at a time. Nice to see them put a few in a row.

The ninth inning saw the Mets threaten to tie the game as Damion Easley had a pinch-hit walk and Reyes singled to leadoff the inning. Castillo failed to get down a bunt and looked absolutely terrible, swinging, or more like flailing, at strike three. Wright then popped out in foul territory before Beltran ripped a ball up the middle which was stopped by Bruntlett who made a very nice play to end the threat and the game.

Ayy! Would have been nice. I still don't get why Castillo was moved back into the two-hole. Church was doing just fine there. He needs to be able to lay a bunt down. It needs to be done. Frustrating loss. They rallied back, got there, and then let it slip away.

Numbers: First four players in the Mets lineup: 4 runs scored...Reyes, Wright, Raul Casanova: 2 hits each...Wright: 2-3, 2 BB, 1 run...Team LOB: 9...SB: 2.

Beardless watch: 8-3.

Game ball: Beltran.

Game Recap: Mets 4 -- Phillies 2

The Mets have now won five in a row, and four straight against Philadelphia, as they beat the Phillies by a score of 4-2 on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.

Oliver Perez made the start for the Mets, lasting 5 2-3 of an inning, all scoreless, and allowing only four hits. Perez, again, struggled with his control, walking five batters, but also tallied seven strike outs on the bump. He also threw one wild pitch. He needed 108 pitches to get through his start, 66 for strikes. Perez struck out Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell a combined four times on Saturday.

Another wild day for Perez. If he could just stay in control of all his pitches for a decent string of starts, could you imagine what he could do? Luckily, nothing came of his five walks as the Phillies left seven runners on with Perez on the mound.

The Mets went through a cast of pitchers today, needing six relief pitchers to finish out the game. With two runners on and two outs in the sixth inning, and Jimmy Rollins coming to the plate as a pinch hitter, Duaner Sanchez entered the game and got Rollins to ground out to first to end the inning. Scott Schoeneweis pitched the seventh inning, allowing a two-out solo home run to Chase Utley for the Phillies first run of the game. Schoeneweis also struck out one batter.

This was Utley's second home run in as many days against the Mets. Luckily, both have been solo shots. This guy is good. Sanchez is looking good, even though he only faced one batter. Schoeneweis, the forgotten bullpen arm. He was a bit rusty today.

The eighth inning was a tense one for the Mets as Joe Smith came out to start the eighth inning and promptly walked Burrell. He then induced a ground out from Pedro Feliz, which allowed Burrell to move to second. Pedro Feliciano then entered the game for the Mets. After some very lengthy at bats, Feliciano allowed a single to Greg Dobbs and walked Eric Bruntlett to load the bases. Feliciano left in favor of Aaron Heilman to face Carlos Ruiz. Ruiz lined one into left, and Angel Pagan broke back and did not get a good jump on the ball and couldn't get to it. He made a diving attempt, but smothered it into the ground allowing a run to score, charged to Smith. Heilman recovered nicely, getting back to back strike outs of Geoff Jenkins and Jayson Werth.

I hope everyone had enough antacids to get through that inning. Smith looked all right, but this is the second time in three days Feliciano has come on and not allowed a run. Bad read by Pagan, who didn't get a good jump, went the wrong way, and then attempted a dive instead of playing the ball in front of him and possibly having a play at the plate with the slow footed Burrell at third. One bad thing against Pagan this season. Great rebound by Heilman. I admit I was a bit scared, but the two straight strike outs with the bases loaded is mammoth. Great stuff.

For the third straight game, the Mets got on the board in the first inning.

Jose Reyes, obviously not feeling any repercussions from last night's collision, led off the game with a double down the third base line. Ryan Church followed that up with a line drive to right that So Taguchi couldn't handle and fell in for a single. With David Wright batting, Reyes stole third base without a throw, his third of the season. Wright followed this up with a double to center field, easily scoring Reyes and bringing Church home all the way from first base.

Another hot start for the Mets. They're taking advantage of the pitcher not being in his groove yet, and snagging a few quick runs for the lead before the other team even takes the field. I like this tenacity.

The Mets were held in check by Jamie Moyer the rest of the way, until Moyer was removed in the sixth inning. Ryan Madson entered the game for the Phillies and walked the second batter he faced in Luis Castillo. After a Endy Chavez pinch-hit ground out, Reyes came to the plate and crushed a two-run home run deep to right field.

That home run was huge, both in terms of distance and impact on the game. It ended up being the game winner and was absolutely jacked 20 rows deep into the right field stands. After the home run, Reyes and Carlos Delgado had a nice high five / dance on the top step of the dugout. I'm so happy the old Reyes is back.

Numbers: Reyes: 2-4 (2B, HR), 2 RBI, 2 runs...Church: 2-4, 1 run...Wright: 2-4, 2 RBI...Top 3 of the Mets order: 6-12...Middle 3 of the Mets order: 0-12...Bottom 3 of the Mets order: 3-9...Mets pitcher's K's: 11...GIDP: 2...Mets LOB: 5...

Game Ball: Perez, Wright and Reyes.

Beardless watch: 8-2.

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Game Recap: Mets 6 -- Phillies 4

The New York Mets got stellar performances from Johan Santana and David Wright Friday night, as they led the entire game, by varying scores, and eventually beat the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 6-4.

Santana was absolutely amazing Friday. He went seven plus, allowing only four hits and striking out 10. Santana did not issue a walk, using 105 pitches, 70 of which went for strikes. He set down two batters on strike outs in the first, second, third and fourth innings. He gave up one hit in the second, a single to Pat Burrell and did not allow another until the seventh. Chase Utley led off the seventh inning with a solo home run to center. He then allowed two straight hits to lead off the eighth inning before he was pulled. He was pegged with three earned runs, but two of them came with Aaron Heilman pitching.

I must sound like a broken record, but what more can you ask from him? 10 strike outs. Insane. This was a pitchers duel, even though I didn't think it was going to be, especially in Citizens Bank Park. Simply amazin' from Johan.

Heilman entered the game with two on in the eighth inning, and facing pinch hitter Greg Dobbs. Here's what I wrote in my live game thread: "95 mph fastball from Heilman for his first pitch to Dobbs, pinch hitting. Second pitch from Heilman is taken DEEP to right for a three run home run. 5-4 Mets. Ugh! Heilman will never, ever be a closer for that reason." As mentioned earlier, the two runners were charged to Santana, and the one run (Dobbs) was obviously charged to Heilman. He stayed in the game, getting pinch hitter Geoff Jenkins to fly out to the warning track and Jayson Werth on a ground out to Luis Castillo. Pedro Feliciano entered the game for one batter, striking out Utley to end the inning.

I don't know what is going on with Heilman. He goes a few games without giving up a run, then goes on a streak of allowing them to score in bunches, the next few games after that he shuts them out. Heilman is a roller coaster, that's the easiest way to put it. Feliciano, facing only one batter, did his job tonight. Good stuff.

Billy Wagner entered the game, looking for the save. He put down the Phillies in order, getting a comebacker from Ryan Howard, a fly out from Pat Burrell, and a ground ball from Pedro Feliz to end the game. This was Wagner's third save of the season.

Wagner is still yet to allow a hit this season. Keep on truckin' Wagner.

The Mets picked up 11 hits, with three extra base hits coming from David Wright, who finished the game a home run shy of the cycle, going 4-4.

For the second straight game, the Mets got on the board early, as they scored in the first inning. Ryan Church walked with one out and moved to second during Wright's at bat on a passed ball. Wright golfed one deep to left, hitting off the top of the wall for a double. Church scored easily.

That left field wall is unbelievably short. It's no wonder the Phillies hit so many home runs.

The Mets had a bit of a scare in the third inning, but let out a huge sigh of relief and eventually scored in the inning. With one out, Hamels walked Jose Reyes on four pitches. Church flew out, so there were two away with Wright at the plate. Reyes attempts a steal and gets in there safe. As he is sliding though, he is kneed in the head by Utley. Here, again, is what I wrote in my live game:

"Trainers are out there, and they're checking for concussions. They're dilating his pupils with a pen light. A concussion would knock him out for about two weeks. He's also holding his mouth, as he probably ate a ton of dirt on that play. Reyes does not want to come out of the game, as he's standing around second trying to work it off. Just read "Oh come on!" off the lips of Reyes. Willie Randolph and Ray Ramirez are trying to coax him out. Surprisingly, Reyes is staying in."

It paid off for the Mets, as Wright cracked a line drive to center field. Werth made a diving attempt at the ball, but couldn't come up with it as it rolled to the wall in center. Reyes trotted home easily and Wright coasted into third with a stand up triple.

This was when you knew Wright was going to have a huge night. Very scary moment for Reyes, as I was almost positive he would leave the game and hit the DL with a concussion of some level. Reyes pleaded his case and stayed in for the entire game. Whew!

The eighth inning was a big one for the Mets, as they scored three runs. The inning started with a single from Church down the right field line. Wright followed it up with another double, his second of the game. After an intentional walk to Carlos Beltran, the Phillies brought in J.C. Romero to face Carlos Delgado. Delgado was 1-13, a .077 AVG against Romero, so a good matchup for the Phils. Delgado grounded a ball to Howard, who thought about coming home, but bobbled it forcing his play. Church scored without a throw. Pagan then blooped a hustle double to left, which brought home Wright. Brian Schneider had a nice night, going 3-4, adding a single here and driving in his only run as Beltran crossed the plate for the final Mets run of the inning. The Mets added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning, as Church scored on Delgado's bases loaded sacrifice fly.

Church and Wright seem to have something brewing at the top of the order. Please, Willie, don't mess with it. Nice inning here. Taking advantage of key opportunities, something this squad needs to do a lot more.

Numbers - Wright: 4-4, 1 BB, 2 RBI, 1 run...Church: 2-4, 1 BB, 3 runs...Delgado: 2 RBI...Pagan and Schneider: 1 RBI...Reyes: 0-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 SB...Santana: 3 K's...Team LOB: 9...1: Mets place in the standings...

Game ball: Santana and Wright, without a doubt.

Beardless watch: 7-2.

Game Recap: Mets 3 -- Nationals 2

In a game that started with superb pitching, it ended with on a wild pitch. It took 14 innings, but the New York Mets finally topped the Washington Nationals late Thursday night by a score of 3-2.

Nelson Figueroa and John Lannan were the stars early in this game. Lannan went six innings, allowing only one run on three hits. He struck out 11 batters and set down 16 in a row through innings one to six. Lannan allowed a leadoff hit to Jose Reyes, a double to Ryan Church off the glove of Wily Mo Pena to plate Reyes before starting his streak of setting the Mets down before Reyes singled in the sixth to break it up.

For the Mets, Figueroa went seven strong innings, allowing only three hits. The two earned runs charged to came on a two run home run by Nick Johnson in the top of the fourth inning. Johnson crushed a ball to deep right field, which brought home Ryan Zimmerman. Figueroa set down the side in order in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth. Figueroa used 101 pitches to get through the seven innings.

Two amazing starts from these guys. Lannan was on fire for those innings, as was Figueroa. They were matching zeros for a while there. What else can I say here? These two were amazing, but neither of them were even close to factoring into the final. If Figueroa keeps this up, he's going to be huge in New York. A homegrown boy pitching for his favorite childhood team. Someone start writing the screenplay.

The Mets bullpen come on and put together seven straight scoreless innings, adding on to Figueroa's three. The Nationals only picked up six hits in the game, one coming against Duaner Sanchez and two coming against Jorge Sosa. Here's the rundown: Aaron Heilman pitched the eighth inning, striking out one. Billy Wagner came in for the ninth, with the game tied, also striking out one. Then Duaner Sanchez pitched 1 2-3 of an inning, allowing one hit and one walk, and also striking out one. With one on in the 11th, Pedro Feliciano came in to face Johnson, and promptly walked him. This was Feliciano's only batter, as he was removed in a double switch in favor of Joe Smith. Smith logged 1 1-3 of an inning, striking out one. Jorge Sosa came on in the 13th inning, working two innings, allowing two hits, walking one and striking out two.

Wow. Scott Schoeneweis was the only pitcher left in the bullpen when they ended it in the 14th. Amazing stuff from the bullpen to shut down the Nats. Honestly, even though the bats struggled at times, what an amazing outing by Mets pitchers, all around. Great stuff, just downright great stuff.

The Mets offense scored early, when needed, and when they wanted to go home. They had chances in between, but eventually did what they needed to do to win.

They got on the board early, as detailed above, with Reyes singling to start off the game and Church doubling off the glove of Pena in left field. That's when Lannan kicked in and didn't allow another base runner until the sixth inning.

I thought the Mets were going to have a huge day after the first two batters, but Randy St. Claire went out to talk to his pitcher, and obviously said something that resonated.

The Mets were held quiet until the seventh inning. Saul Rivera pitched the seventh for the Nationals, and the Mets threatened to score. Delgado walked, and Angel Pagan singled to right to start the inning. After a Brady Clark sacrifice, Raul Casanova lined out to third and Luis Castillo grounded out to end the inning. In the eighth, the Mets came through to tie it up, as everything happened with two outs and was caused by an error on the part of Ronnie Belliard. Church, with two outs, grounded softly to Belliard, who plays very deep in the hole at second, came charging on, but the ball bounced off the tip of his glove and he could not make the play. After a David Wright walk, Carlos Delgado broke a 0-14 streak, singling to right field and scoring Church, tying up the game at two a piece.

The team is not getting the big hits, but doing just enough, which can only get them so far. Delgado has been looking rough at the plate, and I'm not about to forgive him for it all after one big hit. He needs to go back to his diary (if he's left it at all, I'm not sure, but they haven't shown it at all so I'm just making an educated guess here) and start logging his at bats. It's worked before. And I'll say it again, he needs to give up going yard. He needs to put his head down and go with the pitch. Work the other way for doubles, singles, whatever you can get. If the home run comes, then good, but don't swing for it.

In the ninth, the Mets threatened, as Castillo singled and stole second with two outs as Carlos Beltran pinch hit. Unfortunately for the bullpens, Beltran struck out swinging on a curveball from Jon Rauch. The teams traded chances, going back and forth a few times with each team threatening occasionally. Nothing happened until the 14th.

In the 14th, Damion Easley started off the inning with his second single through the hole on the left side. Reyes, trying to bunt for a hit for the second time of the game, couldn't lay it down and popped it up to Joel Hanrahan. Easley moved to second base on a wild pitch, a foreshadowing of what was going to happen. Hanrahan attempted to pickoff Easley at second, but the ball got away, and Easley moved to third. Church struck out swinging, and the Nats decided to intentionally walk Wright and Delgado to get to the pitchers spot. With only Schoeneweis up in the pen, and not warming up, Willie Randolph made a risky decision and decided to pinch hit his last bench player, Brian Schneider. On the first pitch to Schneider, Hanrahan bounced it a few feet short of the plate, and the ball skipped by Wil Nieves. Easley sprinted home and ended the game, sliding in to home and giving the Mets the sweep of the series.

Crazy stuff. I love extra innings, the drama that comes with it is the best. I was standing on the couch, and I'm surprised I didn't hit the ceiling when the ball got away and Easley took off for home. I love it. Good stuff!

Game ball: Figueroa and Easley.

Beardless watch: 6-2.

Game Recap: Mets 5 -- Nationals 2

The New York Mets used the long ball to get ahead, and stay ahead for good, Wednesday night, beating the Washington Nationals by a score of 5-2.

John Maine made the start for the Mets, his third of the season, going 6 2-3, allowing five hits and two earned runs. Maine was a little wild, walking four, but also striking out four. Maine walked Christian Guzman to lead off the game and allowed a single to Ronnie Belliard before a sac-fly from Ryan Zimmerman, brought in the first run of the game. He then loaded the bases with a walk before getting two straight fly balls to end the threat.

In the fourth, Maine allowed a solo home run to Austin Kearns to deep left field. In the seventh, with two outs, Maine walked Guzman and Belliard, and was removed from the game in favor of Joe Smith.

Maine hasn't carried his hot spring training over to the season, but he had a pretty good outing tonight. Still a little wild and a little inconsistent, but there was definetly improvement tonight. Maine seems to be coming back to form, which is excellent news. Good stuff, Maine.

Smith struck out Zimmerman with two men on to end the seventh. Smith came out for the eighth, striking out Nick Johnson to start the inning before hitting Lastings Milledge on the forearm. Smith then induced a double play off the bat of Kearns to end the inning. Smith went 1 1-3 hitless, striking out two.

Smith has been absolutely stellar so far this season. He came on strong at the end of spring training and has been even better during the regular season. The question is: What happens to Smith when Matt Wise comes back?

Billy Wagner came into the game in the ninth inning to try and earn the save and close out the game. Wagner set the Nats down 1-2-3, striking out Aaron Boone to end the game. Wagner is yet to allow a hit so far this season.

Hey Wagner, why don't you take off your coat and stay awhile. It was nice to see you again. Keep on truckin'.

The Mets knocked around Matt Chico for seven hits and five runs in only five innings of work.

After going down 1-0 in the top of the first, the Mets answered back as Ryan Church crushed a solo home run to deep right field, over the Azek sign in the Mets bullpen. Remember: Chico is a lefty. Two home runs for Church, both off of lefties. Church went 2-4, scored twice and drove in one run.

Church is proving he's an everyday player. I absolutely love this guy and have been singing his praises since the day we traded for him. Side note: Lastings Milledge went 1-3 tonight and missed a diving play in center field. Tough play, but he got leather on the ball and couldn't complete it.

The Mets were held scoreless until the fifth inning, when Jose Reyes led off with a solo home run to deep left field. Reyes went 2-4 tonight, driving himself in, and therefore, scoring once. The team kept at it, as Church and David Wright singled to follow Reyes. Carlos Beltran came to bat and crushed a three run home run to deep left field. This was Beltran's first home run of the season, and his third straight game driving in a run.

Reyes, Wright and Beltran all seem to be hitting their stride's right now. Can you imagine the whole team getting hot right now? It'd be perfect and set the tone for the rest of the season after a bit of a rocky start.

Numbers to note - Luis Castillo: 3-4, three singles...Carlos Delgado and Angel Pagan: 2 K's each...One double play turned...Seven left on base...

Game Ball: Maine and Beltran.

Beardless watch: 5-2.

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Game Recap: Brewers 9 -- Mets 7

The seven runs and 14 hits picked up by the New York Mets was no indication of how they really played today, failing to get the big hit in the many situations they created. They dropped the game, and the series, to the Milwaukee Brewers by a score of 9-7.

Oliver Perez made the start for the Mets, and simply did not have his best stuff, or his good stuff, or even his OK stuff. Perez allowed six earned runs and eight hits in only 4 1-3 of an inning. Perez walked three and struck out six. Perez allowed a two-run home run to Gabe Kapler in the first after hitting Rickie Weeks to lead off the game, his third hit batsmen of the season. Perez was also handed a four run lead heading into the fourth inning and promptly handed it back to the Brew-crew.

Perez hadn't allowed an extra base hit or a run in 11 2-3 of an inning coming into the game, and by the time the third batter was up, both of those streaks were out the door. Just not a good day from him. Very frustrating.

Jorge Sosa relieved Perez in the fifth with two runners on, and got Joe Dillion and Jason Kendall to fly out to end the threat. Sosa started the sixth inning allowing a home run to Rickie Weeks to lead off. After Kapler walked, moved to second on one wild pitch, then third on another wild pitch, Sosa got two outs before allowing a single to Corey Hart, which plated Kapler. Kapler went 3-4, scoring three runs and driving in another three.

Sosa can be so good one day and so off on the next. I can't get a read on him at all. Move over Pat Burrell and Chipper Jones, Kapler is the newest Mets killer.

Scott Schoeneweis started the seventh, got one out, and left the game. Joe Smith came in, and induced a ground ball for the first out. He got Weeks to ground a ball to David Wright who made the throw to first which Carlos Delgado could not handle, which would have ended the inning. Weeks later came around to score on a Kapler double for an unearned run. Pedro Feliciano started the eighth, striking out Prince Fielder, before being removed in favor of Aaron Heilman. Heilman pitched 1 2-3 of an inning, not allowing a hit and striking out one.

Well, at least these four pitched all right. For the second straight day, errors came back to hurt the Mets. Still, encouraging to see a good outing from Heilman even if they were behind and couldn't give up the lead no matter how hard he tried.

The Mets offense had 14 hits today, but grounded into double plays in the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings.

The Mets got on the board early, with David Wright hitting a solo home run over the right field wall for his 100th of his career. Wright is currently eighth on the Mets all-time home run list.

Well that was quick. Keep on truckin' David.

In the second inning, Delgado walked to lead off. Ryan Church, was up next and doubled to right field. Damion Easley added an RBI ground out, driving in Delgado, and Brian Schneider singled to center field which scored Church. The Mets continued their scoring barrage early, scoring three in the third inning. Luis Castillo led off the inning with a double to shallow left field, just over the head of Bill Hall. After moving to third on a Wright ground out, Castillo scored when Carlos Beltran singled to center. After an intentional walk to Church and an infield single by Easley, the bases were loaded for Schneider. He singled to center, driving in Church and Beltran.

The Mets weren't and haven't been getting the big hits, but the RBI singles were plentiful. Those can only take you so far.

They were held off the board until the seventh, when they had two on for Easley, who singled to center, scoring Delgado. Schneider then grounded into one of their many double plays. They threatened in the eighth inning against ex-Met Guillermo Mota, who entered to a chorus of boos, as they loaded the bases for Delgado, who popped out to right.

Again, they lacked the big hit which would have scored runs. This has been a habit this season and better not stick around much longer.

Numbers -- Pagan: 2-4, 1 BB...Castillo: 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run...Wright: 1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI...Delgado: 2 BB, 2 runs...Church: 2-3, 2 runs...Easley: 2-5, 2 RBI...Schneider: 3-5, 3 RBI...

Game Ball: Schneider.

Beardless watch: 3-2.

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Game Recap: Mets 4 -- Brewers 2

It was a special night Friday for Brooklyn-born Nelson Figueroa, as he pitched six innings and earned his first win as a New York Met, as the Mets topped the Brewers by a score of 4-2.

Figueroa, who grew up a Mets fan, made his first appearance, throwing six innings of two hit ball. He allowed two walks, both ended up costing him as those base runners came around to score both runs for the Brewers. Those were the only runs given up by Figueroa and the Mets. Figueroa struck out six batters, needing only 85 pitches to get through six. After each walk, Figueroa allowed deep doubles to J.J. Hardy and Prince Fielder to drive in the runs.

What a feel good story. I love his stuff tonight, but I have to say he was benefiting from a huge strike zone, but he was still dealing all night. Those walks really hurt him, which stinks but what a story. He walked onto the field with a huge smile, ear to ear, across his face. Good stuff.

Joe Smith pitched a hitless seventh inning for the Mets. Aaron Heilman rebounded nicely from three straight disaster innings, pitching a perfect eighth inning, striking out Jason Kendall and Rickie Weeks. Billy Wagner came in to close it out, his first save opportunity in nine days, and set down the heart of the Brewers order 1-2-3.

Any night the bullpen doesn't allow a hit is a good night. Great stuff by Heilman to bounce back after giving up two runs in his last three appearances. Two strike outs tonight is huge for his confidence.

The Mets got on the board in the fourth inning as the first two batters got on base, David Wright with a single and Carlos Beltran taking a base on balls. Carlos Delgado came through, knocking a single to right field and driving in Wright. Beltran ran the bases perfectly as Gabe Gross bobbled it in center and Beltran took third. The smart base running paid off as Damion Easley drove in Beltran with a sac-fly. After a passed ball that allowed Delgado to take second and a single from Ryan Church, Raul Casanova, who was appearing in his first game of the season, singled to left, plating Delgado.

Pagan and Wright both went 2-4 on the night, and Delgado, Easley, Church and Casanova all pick up one hit.

The Mets struck again in the seventh, as they played a little small ball. Endy Chavez walked to start the inning, moved to second on a Marlon Anderson bunt, and Pagan drove him in with a single to right field.

Pagan, Delgado, Easley and Casanova all had one RBI for the Mets tonight. Spreading the love around, I see. I like that. Offense wasn't great tonight, as they hit into two double plays and left six on. But they won, which is all that really counts.

Injury news: Jose Reyes left the game in the bottom of the fifth inning with a "tight left hamstring." On the SNY postgame, he commented that he probably won't play tomorrow.

I think he needs a day any way. Something to clear his head.

Game Ball: Figueroa.

Beardless watch: 3-0.

Game Recap: Mets 4 -- Phillies 3

The Mets won a marathon game, with Angel Pagan delivering with a single up the middle in the bottom of the 12th inning over the Phillies Thursday night by a score of 4-3.
(For a batter by batter rundown of the entire game, check HERE.)

John Maine made the start earlier tonight, going six plus strong innings, needing 90 pitches. Maine ran into trouble with the walks, issuing five tonight. Maine gave up five hits and one earned run while striking out one. The one run came in the seventh inning when Pedro Feliz led off with a solo home run to deep left.

His first few innings were shaky as he was missing low and in mostly, he settled in nicely for the middle innings, then started to tire at the end and miss the strike zone again. Six innings is good from Maine, but I'd like to see him go one more next time around.

Pedro Feliciano came into the game, relieving Maine, with one on. Feliciano walked one before setting down Shane Victorino, Eric Bruntlett and Chase Utley on three straight strikeouts.

Wow. What an outing. Not much to say here, just very clutch.

Aaron Heilman entered the game in the eighth inning with a 3-1 lead. The first batter he faced, Ryan Howard, took him very deep to center field, nearly hitting the batter's eye on the fly. He walked Pat Burrell and allowed a basehit to Jayson Werth before Feliz came through for the Phillies again with an RBI groundout, tying the game.

I'm having a lot of trouble trusting Heilman now. Three games, three big letdowns. Rough.

From here on out, the bullpen came to play as Joe Smith, Scott Schoeneweis and Jorge Sosa pitched three scoreless innings. Smith allowed two hits, neither left the infield, to lead off the 11th inning. Smith then struck out Bruntlett before he was removed in favor of Schoeneweis. He induced a double play ball off the bat of Utley to end the inning. Sosa only needed one pitch in the 12th inning, getting Feliz to ground out to David Wright to end the inning and eventually earn the win.

Great stuff from these three. Sosa only needed one pitch, but I'll include him in this group. Stellar performances from Schoeneweis and Smith. Couldn't be happier with him tonight.

The Mets logged some runs early, fell asleep in the middle, and eventually came through in the 12th to win.

Pagan led off the inning with a single off the glove of Bruntlett. Carlos Beltran later walked and both were driven in by a Ryan Church single to center field. Church went 2-5 on the night, driving in these two runs.

Church is coming through for the Mets a lot. I love this guy. Lastings who?

Later in the game, in the sixth inning, Pagan led off the inning by dumping a double down the left field line. Wright moved him over with a ground out and Beltran drove him in with an RBI single to right field. Beltran went 1-4 with a walk, two strikeouts, scored once and drove one in.

Beltran got beat on the slider low and in a few times tonight, which happens a lot. He's not very clutch, but he's a solid player and I really like him. What are your thoughts on #15?

The Mets offense had a few chances to score over the next few innings as the game headed into extras, but couldn't come through until the bottom of the 12th. After Brian Schneider and Brady Clark made the first two outs of the inning, Jose Reyes ripped a double to deep right field and coasted into second standing up. Pagan came up to bat and singled up the middle to Werth. As Reyes rounded third base, Werth came up throwing and made a perfect throw to the plate. Coste had the plate blocked very well, but Reyes slid in feet first and reached his hand over Coste's leg and tagged the plate before getting tagged by Coste to win the game. Pagan went 3-5, driving in one run and scoring twice.

I think he got his hand in there before he got tagged on the back, but I'm in the minority in my room. Pagan isn't only good, but he's clutch too. He's pretty good, eh?

Game Ball: Smith, Schoeneweis, and Pagan.

If you didn't read my post entitled: "I just shaved off my beard for the Mets; My beard is to blame," you should probably check it out. Beardless watch: 2-0.

Game Recap: Mets 8 -- Phillies 2

The Mets took advantage of a multitude of errors by the Phillies Wednesday night, scoring six unearned runs and breaking their nine game losing streak against the Phillies, winning convincingly 8-2.

Mike Pelfrey pitched five innings, needing exactly 100 pitches, 66 went for strikes. Big Pelf allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three. Pelfrey gave up a run in the second inning off of a Carlos Ruiz single, which scored Pat Burrell, who singled earlier in the inning. In the fifth inning, with Pelfrey starting to tire as his pitch count rose, he walked Eric Bruntlett and then allowed a double to Chase Utley for the second, and final, run of the game for the Phillies.

He kept the ball down, which was the key tonight. Still, the starters are needing too many pitches to get through the first few innings. He kept the Phillies in check for five innings, and that has got to be a nice boost to his confidence. Good stuff, just keep it going.

The Mets bullpen stepped up to the plate (figuratively) and brought their A-game today, pitching four scoreless innings, allowing only three hits. Jorge Sosa pitched two perfect innings in relief, tallying one strike out. Pedro Feliciano, who was in the stadium tonight, turned in a scoreless inning, allowing two hits, both singles, and loaded the bases with a walk before retiring the side in the eighth inning. Carlos Muniz got another shot to show what he has, coming in to finish out the game. Muniz struck out the first batter he faced before surrendering a double to Chris Coste. He then retired the next two batters to end the game.

Oh bullpen, don't leave us ever again. Sosa can be so good some times. He's invaluable to this team. Glad Feliciano could get in there and get an inning in for the team. It was a little shaky, but no damage was done. Muniz has looked very good in his two outings. I like him a lot.

The Mets were the benefactors of nine walks handed out by the Phillies pitching staff and four errors (three in one inning) by the defense, as they only picked up five hits, yet still scored eight runs.

New York struck early, as Jose Reyes led off the game with a walk, moved to second on a ground out from Angel Pagan, and scored on an error by Utley after David Wright put the ball in play.

This was the first error of the eventual four that would be committed by the Phillie defense. No remorse from Mets fans, that's for sure.

The third inning is where the wheels fell off for the Phillies. Here's how it went down: Carlos Delgado led off the inning, going the other way with a double to deep left field. Ryan Church followed with a single, moving Delgado to third. Damion Easley, filling in for an injured Luis Castillo, singled driving in Delgado for the first run of the inning. After a line out from Brian Schneider, Pelfrey came to the plate and reached on what was ruled a fielders choice, with an error from Ruiz. Reyes followed by reaching on another error, as Bruntlett booted his ground ball and Church came around to score. Pagan came up and doubled down the third base line, driving in Easley and Pelfrey. That was the final batter for Kendrick, who only lasted 2 1-3 of an inning, allowing four hits, seven runs, but only one was earned.

One would think that's where the craziness ended, but one would be wrong. Kendrick just does not have the same stuff he showed last year. Maybe that prank really hit him hard.

Chad Durbin relieved Kendrick, and fared no better. Wright hit another ball to Bruntlett at short, who committed another error, allowing Reyes to score again. With Carlos Beltran batting, Durbin threw a wild pitch, allowing Pagan to come in and score.

Now can all you Mets fans step back from the ledge, take a breath, and enjoy the season? Yes, we all know every game is incredibly important, but it's only the seventh game! We'll be all right, I hope.

The Mets did leave nine men on base today, with Beltran leaving five men standing around all by his lonesome. The Mets got doubles from Delgado and Pagan and RBIs from Easley, Reyes, Wright and Pagan (2).

Again, nice to get a win, but very troubling how many men were left on base. Thank goodness for the errors or this would have been a completely different game. Pelfrey showed glimpses of talent, as usual, but couldn't keep it up for a whole game. We need more from him and all our starting pitchers. Good stuff tonight, capitalizing on errors, even if it took an inning or two.

Game Ball: Pagan, again!

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Game Recap: Phillies 5 -- Mets 2

The Mets held a 2-0 lead early, but the Phillies rallied back to beat the Mets and spoil their final Opening Day at Shea Stadium, by a score of 5-2. (For a batter by batter game recap, check here.)

Oliver Perez lasted 5 2-3 innings, needing 93 pitches. Perez allowed only three hits, walking three and striking out two. Perez had his slider working today, and used it to his advantage while in the game. Perez hit Chase Utley twice, once in the first and once in the fourth inning. He also balked in the sixth inning when he threw to Carlos Delgado who was not covering the bag.

He looked pretty good today, but got into a bit of trouble a few times. His pitch count was up there early, but still had all his pitches working for him today. Good stuff.

The bullpen was almost completely ineffective today, allowing all five runs to score. Joe Smith came into the game in relief of Perez, walking one to load the bases before getting a ground out to end the threat. Scott Schoeneweis only lasted 1-3 of an inning, allowing three runs, one of them earned. After allowing two hits to Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino, Schoeneweis pegged Utley for the third time in the game. This is where the game got a little nutty. With Ryan Howard at the plate, and the bases loaded, Schoeneweis got Howard to ground a ball to Delgado. Delgado turned to second to try and start the double play, but his throw plunked Utley in the back and scooted away, allowing two runs to score.

Utley ran to second correctly, bowing out in the basepath and obstructing Delgado's throw. Very smart on his part. I don't think they could have turned the double play either way, but only one run would have scored.

Jorge Sosa relieved Schoeneweis, getting Pat Burrell to pop out for the second out of the inning. Jayson Werth poked a single to right field, driving in Utley. Aaron Heilman had a disaster of an outing, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks. Heilman walked the leadoff batter in the eighth inning who moved to second on a sac bunt. Rollins singled under the glove of a diving Delgado, scoring Carlos Ruiz. Brian Schneider had two passed balls today, one in this inning, that allowed Rollins to move to second. An Utley double plated Rollins for the second run of the inning. Heilman induced a pop up from Geoff Jenkins, which put the infield fly rule into effect, and then a pop up to right from Werth to end the threat. Rollins left the game with what has been reported as a sprained ankle. Carlos Muniz, recently called up to replace Matt Wise, turned in a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth.

Three walks from Heilman is troubling. This whole outing from Heilman is troubling. Where is Duaner Sanchez?? Oh, injured. Of course. Not a good day for Schneider behind the plate either. Rollins was injured playing a cat and mouse game off of second with Heilman, as he turned his ankle getting back to the bag. He was healthy enough to come around and score, but left the game after that.

The Mets offense got off to a quick start, scoring in both the second and fourth inning, but was shut down from there on out as they managed seven hits, three for extra base hits.

Carlos Delgado had the biggest day for the Mets, crushing a solo home run in the second inning off the HIP sign near the base of the scoreboard. Delgado also picked up a single, poking one the other way in the fourth inning.

Good stuff from Delgado today. He's learning to put the ball the other way and it's working for him.

Church picked up the other RBI for the Mets today, when he dribbled a ground ball to Utley with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. Carlos Beltran came home to score on the play. Beltran picked up his seventh double of the season today, doubling down the third base line in the eighth inning. David Wright, whose biggest problem today was that Victorino was patrolling center field, also picked up a double, his coming in the fifth inning. Victorino tracked down many balls in the outfield today, even colliding with Werth while making a catch in the gap.

Church had two big chances to drive in runs for the Mets, and capitalized on one with the dribbler. He could have had a huge day for the Mets. Still, he's going to help this team a lot in the future. Beltran is absolutely going nuts with these doubles. Keep it up.

Game Ball: Perez and Delgado.

Injury: Luis Castillo left the game in the fifth inning, with what has been reported as a "sore right knee."

Hopefully he can bounce back, but he just hasn't looked right at the plate this season.

A very nice ceremony at Shea to open her up for the final season. Too bad it had to end like this.

Game Recap: Braves 3 -- Mets 1

Johan Santana pitched about as well as Mets fans could hope, but the offense was nowhere to be found Sunday, as the Mets got swept out of Atlanta in a rain-shortened series, losing 3-1.

Santana pitched seven strong innings, only needing 91 pitches. He allowed one run on seven hits, walking none, while striking out three. Santana benefited from some defensive gems from David Wright at third. The only run came on a double over the head of Angel Pagan in the third inning off the bat of Yunel Escobar, plating Mark Kotsay.

Seven innings, one run? I'll take that every single outing. Stellar stuff from Santana today, just no offense to back him up. Let's hope this isn't a Roger Clemens type season (without the alleged steroids) where he pitches great but never gets run support. I don't think that will happen, it was just unfortunate he had to face John Smoltz, who always shuts down the Mets. Still, gotta love the pitchers duel.

Aaron Heilman pitched the eighth inning, and allowed a two-run home run to Mark Teixeira. These runs were the eventual game winners for the Braves. Heilman walked Chipper Jones on four pitches before Teixeira came to the plate and went deep.

Heilman has been mentioned as a possible closer when Billy Wagner's contact is up, but if he keeps giving up the long ball, I don't know if I would trust him in that role.

The Mets offense only had to deal with Smoltz for five innings, but were unable to capitalize on the Braves bullpen until the top of the ninth inning.

Wright walked to lead off the ninth against Rafael Soriano, moved to second on defensive indifference, and scored on a Ryan Church single down the right field line for the Mets only run of the game. Angel Pagan followed with a walk, but when Brian Schneider came to the plate and ripped one down the first base line, Teixeira flashed some glove and made a terrific diving stab and flipped the ball to first to Soriano who was covering to end the game.

Tough luck here for Schneider and the Mets. Another tale of too little, too late.

The Mets only scrapped together five hits, two of which came off the bat of Carlos Delgado, both singles to the right side of the field. Schneider added a hit in the 8th inning. Santana had the Mets only extra base hit of the day, leading off the third inning with a broken-bat double to center field. He knocked the ball into center field, which Kotsay could not get to and booted it away on his diving attempt, which allowed Santana to move to second.

It's not a good sign for the team when your only double comes from your pitcher. Delgado seems to be finding his groove though.

Game Ball: Santana.

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Game Recap: Braves 11 -- Mets 5

John Maine made his first start of the season and failed to impress, only lasting four innings as the Braves beat up on Mets pitching all around, pounding the Mets pitching en route to a 11-5 win.

Maine was pulled for a pinch hitter in the fifth inning after giving up four earned runs on eight hits. Maine did not have his control today as he walked three in his short stint on the mound. He also struck out five. Maine threw 96 pitches is only four innings.

He just did not have his usual control today. He's set up for a big year, but this was just not a good start to the season for him.

Joe Smith came in the game for the fifth inning, getting a 1-2-3 inning. His sixth inning was not as smooth as Ruben Gotay singled off of him and later scored when Mark Kotsay drove him home off of Scott Schoeneweis. Smith pitched 1 1-3 of an inning, and one run was charged to him from Gotay. Smith struck out one. Schoeneweis pitched 2-3 of an inning, allowing only that one hit.

Smith has looked very good so far. Schoeneweis allowed only that one hit, but has been decent so far.

Jorge Sosa let the game blow wide open, allowing a grand slam to Kelly Johnson in the eighth inning. He allowed three hits and walked one and Willie Randolph left him in with the bases loaded, something we learned too much about last year, and he gave up the four-run home run to Johnson to put the Braves up for good.

I don't know why Randolph would leave Sosa in the game. We know his reputation with the bases loaded and it just makes no sense. Color me confused on this one.

Nelson Figueroa made an appearance, attempting to mop up. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk.

Figueroa looks like he's going to get the start against the Brewers next week, with Johan Santana pitching the next day.

The Mets left six on base today, as the Mets bats just could not match what the Braves bats were doing.

In the second inning, Carlos Delgado singled as the second batter of the inning. He took third on a daring move on a Ryan Church single. The move paid off as he scored when Matin Prado botched a double play ball off the bat of Angel Pagan and Delgado scored the Mets first run. Delgado went 2-4 on the day, scoring two runs and driving in one. Pagan drove in two runs, going 1-3 and scoring once.

Good stuff from Delgado and Pagan. Delgado is either on or off. He can look lost at the plate or drive one into the outfield at the same time. Pagan is hot. It's going to be interesting what the team does with him if he comes back down to earth.

The Mets had an interesting fifth inning. Church led off with a single, followed by a Pagan single. Brady Clark pinch hit for Maine, and was plunked by the first pitch of his at-bat. This had the bases loaded for Jose Reyes and I'll quote my Live Game Commentary rather that rewrite it all:
"The third base umpire called the obvious trap by Mark Kotsay a catch, which led to Angel Pagan getting doubled up off of second base. Willie Randolph came out to argue, and amazingly, after an umpires conference, had the call overturned.

Pagan would have easily scored on the play had they let it run its course correctly, instead they let all the runners move up a base, keeping the bases loaded with only one out."

It was a crazy collection of events, but everything was kind of sorted out after a while. I was shocked that they actually overturned the call, especially because it was in favor of the Mets. It seems like the Mets never get a call like that go their way.

Luis Castillo added a RBI groundout before David Wright ended the inning. Wright's hit streak ended today, as he went 0-4. Delgado drove home Beltran in the eighth and Pagan added his final RBI, but it was way too little too late as the Mets fell way short.

Bound to happen for Wright, but it was just another dark spot in an otherwise forgettable game. Not the way I wanted to spend my Saturday afternoon.

Game Ball: Pagan, again.

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Game Recap: Mets 13 -- Marlins 0

The day after the Mets lost Pedro Martinez for a month or more, Oliver Perez came out and made us all forget about that injury with a stellar performance tonight against the Marlins, leading the Mets to a 13-0 win.

Perez pitched six innings, allowing five hits, walked only one, while striking out eight. Perez only threw 92 pitches, 59 for strikes. Perez got help from Ryan Church in the first inning, when he threw out Hanley Ramirez with a bullet to second base. Perez also was part of a nice double play, fielding a comebacker, waiting on Luis Castillo to move to second, and then having Castillo make a great throw to Carlos Delgado at first.

Great stuff from Perez tonight. The one walk is huge for him, and his slider was absolutely nasty and it helped him in setting down eight Marlins tonight. If he can harness this, and stop being the wild and unpredictable Perez we usually see glimpses of, this could be a huge year for him in his walk year.

Nelson Figueroa, who made it to the stadium only hours before the game started as he will be taking Pedro's spot on the roster and signed his contract on the dugout steps, made his first appearance as a Met, pitching a hitless inning and striking out Jorge Cantu. Pedro Feliciano also made his first appearance this season, allowing one hit in his one inning of work. Billy Wagner struck out one while on the bump.

I love the Figgy. Figueroa looked solid in his first start in the majors in four years. Love this guys stuff and his story. Nice to get some Feliciano into my life. Wags was excellent, as usual.

The offense absolutely came to play today. The Mets picked up 13 runs on 17 hits, six of which went for doubles.

Church, Beltran and David Wright each picked up three hits today. Beltran hit three doubles, one of which was actually a miscalled home run. The ball Beltran hit originally was called a double, then it was changed to a home run. The umpires huddled and took back the home run and made Beltran come back out to second base. Beltran drove in one RBI and scored twice. Church picked up three RBI and scored twice, roping a two-run blast to right field in the top of the second inning. Wright picked up a double and blasted a three-run home run to deep left field in the sixth inning. He also scored twice.

Absolutely huge nights from these three guys. Unbelievable. Beltran is on fire. How many people are jumping on the Church bandwagon now? That home run was off a lefty, mind you. Wright is going nuts this season. That's his second three RBI game of this very young season.

Castillo, Delgado and Angel Pagan each picked up two hits for team tonight. Pagan knocked one of the teams many doubles, driving in one run and scoring twice. Delgado also knocked in one run and scored two of his own. Castillo scored once. Brian Schneider drove in two runs and scored once. He picked up one hit and walked twice.

All the starters but Perez got a hit tonight and everyone was just stellar. Everyone contributed tonight. Good stuff. Very good stuff.

Game Ball: Perez, Wright, Beltran and my boy, Ryan Church.

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Game Recap: Marlins 5 -- Mets 4

The Mets lost two key things tonight: Pedro Martinez to an injury and the game to Robert Andino and the Florida Marlins.

The Mets took the game to extras, but Andino connected off of Matt Wise for a walkoff home run to left field to end the game by a score of 5-4.

Pedro got rocked early, giving up a two-run home run in the first inning to Dan Uggla, and a solo shot to Luis Gonzalez and a RBI triple to Hanley Ramirez in the second inning. Pedro was in the fourth inning when his knee seemed to buckle during a pitch, and he apparently heard a "pop" in his leg. He quickly grabbed the back of his left leg and began limping around the mound. He was forced to leave the game and has been diagnosed with a strained left hamstring. He's heading back to New York for an MRI tomorrow. Martinez allowed four earned runs on four hits, walking one and striking out one before being forced out.

Well if that's not a sobering second game of the season, I don't know what is. This is the one of the quickest ways to take all the air out of the Mets balloon. Hopefully he can only miss a few starts, and bounce back into the rotation. We'll know more tomorrow. Still, the rotation is pretty nasty with Johan Santana, Oliver Perez, and John Maine. However long he is out, the Mets will miss him, but they are not in terrible condition.

Jorge Sosa came in as the long man, pitching 2 2-3 of an inning, allowing only three hits. Sosa walked two and struck out one. Scott Schoeneweis was used correctly, getting Cody Ross to pop up to left before being lifted for Joe Smith. Smith used his slider and got two ground outs to third base to complete a hitless inning.

Sosa was just excellent in long relief, and may be forced into a starting role very soon. I really like Sosa's versatility and ability. Schoeneweis is a situational pitcher, who can sometimes be stretched out, so this is the correct way to pitch him, I think. Smith seems to have his nasty slider back, and therefore has reclaimed his nickname of "The Man."

Aaron Heilman was stellar, pitching two innings, only allowing one hit and one walk, while striking out two. Wise came in for the 10th inning, quickly striking out Josh Willingham and Jorge Cantu. Andino, who came into the game in the top of the inning, crushed a ball deep to left field to end the game.

Heilman was excellent. He can give you two solid innings almost every night, if need be. Wise started off great but one bad pitch, a hanger, ended the game for the Mets.

The Mets offense started off slow, picked it up in the fourth inning, and then quickly quieted down for the rest of the game.

The Mets got an RBI single from Angel Pagan for their first run of the game, scoring Carlos Delgado, who previously singled. Pagan went 1-3 with a walk, driving in two RBI and scoring once.

Pagan has carried his hot spring over to the season. He already has three RBI on this young season.

Brian Schneider, who picked up his first hit as a Met, went 3-4 with a walk on the day, driving in his only RBI with a single to center field that scored Ryan Church.

The light-hitting catcher has the biggest day for the Mets. That's probably not a great sign for the offense.

The Mets also got hits from Luis Castillo, David Wright and Carlos Delgado. Carlos Beltran walked twice and swiped a bag in the ninth inning. Beltran also had a very heads up play in the outfield in the ninth inning, throwing out Uggla at second as he tried to stretch a single to a double.

Beltran it a great player, and I think he is very underrated. He has his share of injuries, but when he is on, he is pretty darn good.

Game Ball: Pagan, keep it up! Let's hope Pedro isn't in bad shape and can bounce back quickly.

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