Mets 9 Phillies 3

As has been the case quite often lately, the Mets got on top early, and there was no one clear-cut star in this game. Everyone in the lineup had at least one run scored and/or an RBI, including pinch-hitter Julio Franco. And everyone — including Franco but excepting Lastings Milledge — whacked an extra-base hit (is that a record?).

El Duque did a serviceable job in his four innings before the rain delay, and Darren Oliver came out of the bullpen and did a standup job in holding the ever-extending Mets lead.

After the Mets got to Brett Myers early, it looked as if all the air was taken out of the Phillies; they were deflated. By the time the rain delay was over, the Phillies returned to the field looking like they just wanted to get the game over with. Even manager Charlie Manuel couldn’t spark the team by getting thrown out for arguing balls and strikes.

Notes

David Wright hit ANOTHER homer. It seems he and Beltran are in a competition to see who is hotter. Except now Carlos Delgado has entered to make it a three-man competition. I like it.

Speaking of this trio … if they keep up their present production, there’s a good chance that the NL MVP will NOT be a NY Met, because these three will split votes and a fourth player from another team will win the prize. Actually, that might not make any sense … I’m not really sure how the MVP vote works. But I wouldn’t mind if, say, Albert Pujols won the MVP and the Mets won the NL pennant.

Lastings Milledge received a tongue-lashing from Mr. Willie after dogging it around the bases on a two-out double by Franco in the seventh. He slowed down once while rounding second—it looked like maybe he thought the ball was going over the fence—and then did not look like he was running full speed after rounding third. Ultimately he was thrown out, and I’m not sure who was more ticked, Randolph or Franco. In any case, I’m sure they both let Lastings know what he did wrong. It was inevitable that Milledge would make some kind of a youthful mistake, so there isn’t much to worry about. With all the veterans around him, Milledge will learn quickly.

How much fun is it to watch Jose Reyes play? Almost as much fun as it is to watch and listen to him during the postgame interview. He’s always smiling so much it looks like it hurts, and his answers are always in a sing-song, happy tone, his head bobbing in delight. You can’t help but smile with him.

Heath Bell got into ANOTHER game. Boy, Willie is really starting to lean on this guy. He summoned Bell to close out the ninth, and Bell did a fine job protecting the six-run lead.

How in the world did Bobby Abreu win a Gold Glove last year? Even the Phillies fans were surprised when it happened. I don’t think I ever saw a professional outfielder go so softly into an outfield wall. Even more embarassing for Abreu is seeing Aaron Rowand bust his face slamming into walls next to him.

Speaking of Gold Gloves, David Wright is on his way to one. Maybe not this year, but some year. He’s looking stellar, making the routine plays as well as the spectacular ones. Some time in the next five years I expect to see him and Reyes with the award.

This was supposed to be one of the toughest parts of the Mets schedule this year, and the Metropolitans are turning it into a cakewalk. Right now their offense is dominating, and they’re doing it without Cliff Floyd. How many teams can put a bat like Floyd’s on the bench and not even notice?

Get out the broom ….