Game 40: Mets vs. Cubs @ Shea Stadium

Only a few hours after their last game ended, the Mets look to take the four game set from the Cubs. Jason Vargas gets the call from AAA New Orleans.

The Good: Jose Reyes was seen bouncing around in the dugout and Vargas looked great through five. Jose Reyes, Paul LoDuca, Carlos Beltran, David Wright, and Damion Easley received some much needed rest. Ambiorix Burgos looked good in what seemed to be garbage time. Soon after he finished the Cubs off in the eighth inning, the Mets would get to work. A leadoff hit by Dave Newhan got the Mets started in the ninth. Ramon Castro almost snuck one into right field but Dave Newhan barely got back to first to avoid being doubled off. Carlos Gomez then advanced Newhan to third with a poke into right center. Carlos Beltran would pinch hit and would promptly draw a full-count walk. Thereafter, Endy Chavez would also reach via the free pass and the score was 5-2 with the winning run at the plate. The lefty, Scott Eyre, would come on to pitch for the Cubs and David Wright would deliver a hard single into center field in his first career pinch-hit appearance. With the tying run ninety feet away, the struggling Carlos Delgado stepped to the plate. On a 1-0 pitch, Carlos grounded a slow roller to second JUST past Ryan Theriot into right field. The winning run would come around to score from second and just like that the Mets would steal one from the Cubs. The win was very reminiscent of the five-run outburst against Curt Schilling and the Phillies in 1999 (John Olerud singled to left and Roger Cedeno came around to score as he furiously pimped his fist at home).

The Bad: The Mets never got much going with the bats which really wasn't a surprise. Consider the following lineup:

E. Chavez CF - Leadoff single, stolen base, scored early tying run, walk, and played good defense.
R. Gotay SS - Started at short and made up for early DP with 2 rbi. Scored the game-winning run.
S. Green RF - Racked up a few more hits but could not drive in any important runs; played good defense.
C. Delgado 1B - Continues to look terrible. Killed the only met rally by GIDP.
J. Franco 3B - Is beginning to look his age. However, played good defense at 3b.
D. Newhan 2B - Not the norm at 2b but had a few hits to go along with his ugly error.
R. Castro C - Not a good day with the bat.
C. Gomez LF - Good defense again and an opposite field hit in the ninth.
J. Vargas P - Looked good through five before the wheels fell off.

Overall: Bring on the Yankees.

Notes: Moises Alou was placed on the DL to make room for Vargas. Ramon Castro was basically punched in the head on one of the home plate umpire's strike three calls; Castro laughed it off. Willie Randolph ended up making great moves by leaving Ruben Gotay in the ballgame to bat for himself in the ninth inning. That may turn out to be a major confidence booster for him. Soon thereafter, he inserted David Wright to pinch hit for Shawn Green and he promptly delivered a single. Most importantly, he also managed to give Jose Reyes a full day off. Personally, I thought something bad was bound to happen with Delgado at the plate but he proved me wrong as he delivered in the clutch - as he always does. Basehit to right field "and the Mets win it!!!"

Final Score: Mets 6, Cubs 5. Record: 26-14.