Game 75: Mets vs. Cardinals @ Shea Stadium

Oliver Perez looks for win number eight in tonight's game against the Cards.

The Good: After falling behind early, Carlos Beltran would drive in Jose Reyes with a double in the first inning. However, they would not get anything else until the eighth inning when Paul Lo Duca would hit his fourth home run of the season to lead off the inning. That home run brought the Mets within a run heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. The former Met, Jason Isringhausen, would come on to close the game for the Cardinals and was throwing filthy stuff to the first two batters. However, Shawn Green would battle to get on base and would draw a walk to bring the game-winning run to the plate. Down to their last strike, Willie Randolph would put Shawn Green in motion and Jose Valentin would lace a double down the right field line. With Green already on the go and the right fielder (Juan Encarnacion) bobbling the ball, the Mets had risen from the dead to tie the game. Jose Valentin would get caught up in between second and third but would make it to third on another Cardinal bobble. Ricky Ledee would pinch hit for Carlos Gomez and would draw a walk. Unfortunately for the Mets, Julio Franco has begun to look his age and would fail to score the game winning run.

The Bad: Scott Schoeneweis continues to be terrible and cost the Mets the game tonight. At least he didn't walk Brandan Ryan to lead off the eleventh inning. Ryan would turn a 3-2 fastball around for his first career home run. Even so, I'm inclined to think that if you asked Jose Valentin about tonight's game, he would take full responsibility for the loss (two more key mistakes)

Overall: Heartbreaker.

2 Cents: What's up with Valentin lately? Schoeneweis sucks. At least Valentin's hit took Oliver Perez off the hook.

Final Score: Mets 3, Cardinals 5. Record: 42-33.