Mets Game 83: Win Over Cardinals

Mets 7 Cardinals 4

Since the .500 Mets lost the first game in their series against the Cardinals, they were bound to win the second. It’s the little things that make us happy these days — things like counting on your team to pull out a win half the time.

Newly promoted Tony Armas Jr. was less than spectacular, but kept the Mets in the game long enough to earn a win. Armas pitched six innings — two more than John Maine did the night before — and allowed 4 runs on 8 hits and only 1 walk, striking out three.

Meantime, the Mets offense woke up after a short slumber, coming back from a 3-1 deficit by scoring six runs over the three middle innings against starter Todd Wellemeyer and reliever Brad Thompson.

Red-hot David Wright led the way with a 3-for-4 day including a solo homer, scoring twice and driving in one, and Ramon Castro drove in three runs on a double and a single. Ryan Church and Damion Easley also drove in runs, and Carlos Delgado went 3-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored.

The bullpen was nearly perfect, as Aaron Heilman, Pedro Feliciano, Duaner Sanchez, and Billy Wagner combined to allow one hit and no runs over the final three innings. Wagner notched his 19th save in finishing the game.

Notes

Endy Chavez remained hot, getting two hits for the third straight game. He hit in the second spot while Luis Castillo rested his legs in favor of Damion Easley.

Despite Delgado’s 3-for-3 day, he’s still hitting only .236. Talk about trying to climb out of a hole. At least he’s hitting the garbage pitchers. If he can continue to perform against the fourth and fifth starters and mop up relievers of the world, he should provide almost enough offense to overcome his iron glove and lead feet.

Jose Reyes was thrown out attempting to steal for the ninth time this season.

Fernando Tatis was once again inserted at first base as a late-inning “defensive replacement”. Scary, considering he’s appeared in only 10 pro games at the position.

Next Game

Pedro Martinez goes against Joel Pineiro in a EST start. Was a time when a Mets fan felt very good about a Pedro vs. Pineiro matchup. These days, though, it’s more of an uneasy feeling. Let’s hope Pedro’s recent struggles really were due to tipping pitches, and further, let’s hope he can keep from doing so in Wednesday’s game.