Game 72: Mets vs. Athletics @ Shea Stadium

On a beautiful saturday night made for baseball, the Mets seek their first win streak in quite some time. El Duque must beat Joe Blanton in order to do so.

The Good: Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez pitched a great game and dug himself out of trouble when he needed to. Taking five extra minutes to leave the bullpen, Hernandez started a bit slow and gave up some bloop hits before settling down. He would pitch seven innings and threw the most pitches he has thrown all season. However, he had a no decision to show for his effort. The highlight of the game occurred when he struck out Eric Chavez on a 3-2, 53 mph Eephus pitch in the sixth inning. With the go-ahead run on second in the bottom half of the inning, Paul Lo Duca absolutely lost it on a called second strike and ended up being ejected for his actions. He would furiously confront the umpires with the "crazy eye" look and ended up tossing his equipment onto the field before leaving the field. Following the confrontation, Carlos Beltran finally got a big two out hit on a 3-2 fastball, but the Athletics Travis Buck gunned Ricky Ledee at the plate to preserve the scoreless tie. The game would remain tied through eighth and a half innings and the Mets had a chance to win it in their half of the inning. As it always seems to occur, the player who wasn't even supposed to be in the game came would come through. Ramon Castro, filling in for Lo Duca, led off the ninth inning with a double and then Beltran would be intentionally walked to bring David Wright to the plate. Wright would hit a soft liner to right and the A's right fielder, Travis Buck, would allow the ball to roll by him on a failed diving attempt. The dive would also allow Castro to score from second and the Mets finally won a series for the first time in seven tries.

The Bad: The Mets didn't score but Blanton pitched a great ballgame. Carlos Delgado continues to look terrible at the plate.

Overall: Another Met win. Good pitching and great entertainment for a second staight night. For the first time since last August, the Yankees and every team in the NL East lost on the same night the Mets won.

Two Cents: Even with Mike Piazza in the opposing dugout, the more I see of Lo Duca, the more I love the guy. Reyes and Lo Duca seem to bleed Mets baseball and play the game with an unmatched passion. Tonight's eruption of emotion only proved to me how bad Lo Duca wants to win.

Final Score: Mets 1, A's 0. Record: 40-32.