Game 48: Win
Mets 7 Marlins 4
Ah, back on track … losing to the Marlins with Pedro on the mound against not-Dontrelle was a bit hard to swallow. Not sure what was more remarkable about this game: the fact that the Mets hitters had an easier time against D-Train than Josh Who?, or that it STILL takes three relievers to win a game when a Mets’ starter pitches two outs into the eighth.
Tom Glavine was once again, well, Vintage Glavine. And to boot, he struck out another nine in 7 2/3. He may very well finish in the top ten in the NL in strikeouts when it’s all said and done.
Aaron Heilman pitched less than stellar once again in relief, but it’s probably too late for him to claim a starter’s spot. I was really hoping he’d have a string of awful relief outings to convince the Mets brass that he wasn’t so valuable in the ‘pen. But, if he keeps pitching ineffectively, maybe the Mets will swap him into the rotation and make Pedro a reliever, since the bullpen is so damn important …
Carlos Beltran continues his torrid hitting, with two doubles in four at-bats. I’m no good at math, but it seems implausible that his batting average is still in the .260s, the way he’s been hitting the last three weeks.
David Wright came back from a day off and went four-for-four; maybe he should get a few more off days. In all seriousness, he sat due to back spasms, and complained that he still had pain, despite the 4-4. That’s just a little bit scary for Mets fans, who are hanging most of their hopes on the Golden Boy.
Carlos Delgado was given a day off against the lefty Willis, and Julio Franco filled in admirably, going 2-4.
Speaking of replacement players, Ramon Castro continued to establish himself as one of the top backup catchers in the game, blasting a solo homer in the fourth, and Chris Woodward had a double, a walk, and two runs scored as the leftfielder. It appears that Mr. Willie will be sitting Cliffy at least against the tough lefties, which is probably a good idea for two reasons: first, because he has been atrocious vs. lefties over the last 2-3 years, and secondly, he’s the kind of guy who definitely benefits from frequent days off. Even when not seriously injured, he manages to get himself banged up one way or another, and at the age of 33, is at the point where his body can use a little rest every once in a while. Watch him come back strong after the off day.
Big game tomorrow afternoon, as El Duque makes his Mets debut vs. some guy named Nolasco at 1pm.
