Game 49: Win

Mets 7 Marlins 3

El Duque made his Mets debut in fine fashion, fulfilling the team’s need for a fifth starter to get through the fifth inning. He looked pretty good, outside of a three-run second inning, and likely would have been able to pitch into at least the seventh had he not been under Mr. Willie’s stringent 100-pitch limit.

Carlos Beltran remains on fire, and is producing the way he was expected to when he signed the $120M contract. At this rate, he’ll finish the year with over 30 HRs and 125 RBI.

As will David Wright, who went “only” two for four in this game. Wright has jacked up his average to .333 after going 7-9 over the last two games.

Another guy who is staying hot is Jose Valentin, who has now more or less established himself as a semi-regular. As long as he hits (and keeps his urine clean), he’ll be in the lineup.

Heath Bell finally made an appearance without giving up a run, though he did allow five baserunners in 2 2/3 innings. Part of his issue may be his adjustment from being a one-inning closer at Norfolk, where he said he “…put everything on the table,” to the two- and three-inning stints he’ll be expected to produce with the Mets. Whereas he was gassing it up for a few batters in the minors, he now has to pace himself for 30-50-pitch outings. Interesting, that his conditioning for one-inning bursts would have been a perfect fit as the seventh-inning replacement for Aaron Heilman, had Heilman been put in the rotation.

Steve Trachsel opens the homestand on Memorial Day vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks.