Game 135: Mets vs. Braves @ Turner Field

After being swept in Philadelphia, any win will be gladly taken. Maine-Hudson.

The Good: Maine was dominant over seven innings as he struck out eight and only allowed one run. Carlos Delgado hit a three run bomb to center in the first, Reyes hit a homer in the fifth, and Marlon Anderson delivered a clutch, pinch-hit, two-out, first-pitch, bases-clearing double in the ninth to put the game away. Reyes, Betran, and Delgado all had two hits a piece. Aaron Heilman and Scott Schoeneweis pitched the final two innings to close out the game for the Mets.

The Bad: Not a damn thing.

Overall: A win is a win.

Notes: Jose Reyes stole his 73rd base. In the eighth inning, with the game still relatively close, Willie Harris hit a ball to deep right center field which seemed destined for an easy double. Had it been Shawn Green or Lastings Milledge out there, it probably would have been, but Endy Chavez got a tremendous jump on the ball and closed on it for a great catch. With runners on first and second in the ninth, Bobby Cox chose to walk Endy Chavez and load the bases for Marlon Anderson. I'm not complaining about the decision.

2 Cents: Marlon Anderson is just too good at what he does. Boy, did he make me eat my words or what? It's also good to have Endy Chavez back healthy and contributing. It feels good to know that he is an option in the outfield.

Final Score: Mets 7, Braves 1. Record: 74-60.

Game 131: Mets vs. Phillies @ Citizens Bank Park

Big game for both teams as a the Mets take on the Phillies in a crucial series.

The Good: Paul LoDuca had two hits in his first game back.

The Bad: The Mets make another no-name pitcher (Chad Durbin) look like Cy Young, have their big batters get shut down, and experience another not-so-great start by Brian Lawrence. The Braves also won their game.

Overall: Why is Chase Utley so good? Why does Pat Burrell do this? Why are they both Met killers? This was a big game and I hope it didn't set the tone for the rest of the series/season.

Notes: Paul LoDuca was activated off of the D.L. before the game and Pedro Martinez allows an unearned run in six innings pitched. He looked sharp and said he felt good in his latest rehab outing. Billy Wagner also said he felt fine after a few days off to heal his dead arm.

Final Score: Mets 2, Phillies 9. Record: 73-57.

Game 129: Mets vs. Dodgers @ Shea Stadium

The Met ace, El Duque, takes the mound against Eric Stults in today's afternoon game on FOX.

The Good: El Duque great again as he wins his ninth game by allowing two runs over seven innings (both coming on back-to-back homers in the seventh inning). David Wright delivered another big hit to score Jose Reyes in the third inning. In the fifth, after receiving a standing ovation, Carlos Delgado would finally single center on the first pitch from Rudy Seanez to score Carlos Beltran and David Wright. It was hit first hit in eighteen at-bats. In the seventh, the Mets would get some insurance runs when Jeff Conine doubled to deep left to score David Wright. Aaron Heilman came on in the ninth to record his first save since 2005. The game ended on a sweet 4-6-3 double play started by Ruben Gotay.

The Bad: Losing Wagner to a dead arm.

Overall: Nice little win that almost got away.

Notes: Jose Reyes now has seventy stolen bases on the season; Beltran has 18. Although he continues to look terrible behind the plate, Sandy Alomar Jr. continues to shine defensively. He gunned out two runners and made a nice leaping catch at the screen to help out El Duque and the Mets.

2 Cents: Pedro Feliciano's run should have been unearned as Lastings Milledge pretty much gave that one away.

Final Score: Mets 4, Dodgers 3. Record: 73-55.

Game 128: Mets vs. Dodgers @ Shea Stadium

Oliver Perez seeks his first solid start in quite some time as he opposes Brad Penny, who has a 1-8 career record at Shea Stadium.

The Good: Perez was great as he pitched seven shutout innings with six k's. In the first, Gotay picks up where he left off by doubling in a run. Wright would drive in Reyes with a single during the third inning. He would add another run with a homer to right in the fifth inning. He now has ten opposite-field jacks, most in the majors. In the eighth, after giving up a run, the Mets got it right back on a Lastings Milledge single to left that scored Carlos Beltran from second.

The Bad: Luis Castillo's knee acting up. Wagner shaky again but manages to finish the Dodgers off.

Overall: Solid win.

Notes: Jose Reyes stolen base total now stands at 69. Nice 3-6-3 double play started by Delgado. Delgado was booed after each at-bat.

Final Score: Mets 5, Dodgers 2. Record: 72-55.

Game 127: Mets vs. Padres @ Shea Stadium

The Mets have a chance to win yet another rubber game; they have not done a good job in these games in previous opportunities

The Good: The Mets scored in the first on another Beltran rbi but had to fight back later on in the game. In the third inning, with Milton Bradley on first, Adrian Gonzalez would double to left center but Moises Alou would throw a good relay to Jose Reyes who threw a high strike home. Sandy Alomar Jr. blocked home plate with his left foot and gathered the throw to tag Bradley out at the plate. In the bottom of the sixth, Luis Castillo would single to center to start yet another rally. Wright would reach on Kouzmanoff's error, Beltran walked, and Delgado would pop out to short. However, Alou would work out a tough walk to drive in a run and Shawn Green would follow with a big two-rbi single to right field. Then, after an Alomar Jr. line out, Marlon Anderson would hit a euphoric three-run pinch-hit homer to right field to give the Mets the lead. Luis Castillo would keep the vibes going to lead off the top of the seventh when he robbed Josh Bard of a hit up the middle by diving to his right, popping up, and gunning the runner...all the while showing some emotion. In the ninth, after Wagner had blown the game, Conine would barely miss a homer to right center but put a good swing on the ball. Against Hoffman, Reyes singled to center, Castillo singled to left, they executed a double steal, and score on a David Wright sac fly to deep center field. With the bases juiced and two outs, Alou couldn't get the winning run home.

The Bad: Tom Glavine was roughed up. Wagner choked. Heilman sucks (gave up the gw hr to A. Gonzalez in the tenth.

Overall: When Schoeneweis is going to get the "W" in the decision and doesn't get it, you KNOW it had to end bad.

2 Cents: For some reason, I'm not surprised at the loss. Both Wagner and Hoffman deserved to blow the game. On more than three occassions, they gave up hits on 0-2 or 1-2 counts. How about David Wright in the ninth inning situation with a runner on third. It's almost a lock to be a flyball to center field. Luis Castillo didn't deserve to be the last out, he did everything within his power to try to earn the Mets a win tonight. Furthermore...it's time for me to swallow my pride on not wanting Marlon Anderson on the team. The guy is clutch and can flat out hit. I had started to forget just how good he could be off the bench. At least the Phils & Braves lost.

Final Score: Mets 8, Padres 9. Record: 71-55.

Game 126: Mets vs. Padres @ Shea Stadium

Jake Peavy vs. former Padre Brian Lawrence.

The Good: Jose Reyes collected three stolen bases tonight and set the all-time club record for stolen bases with his 67th swipe (breaking Roger Cedeno's mark of 66 in 1999). He stole second and third base in the third inning and then stole third base without a throw during the fifth inning to set the record. Luis Castillo and David Wright also swiped bags of their own. Carlos Beltran continued to swing a hot bat as he drove in three more runs. Two on a double to center in the fifth inning, and another on a ninth inning single. In that ninth inning, Marlon Anderson hit a pinch-hit double to lead off the inning and scored on a Jeff Conine single to center. Reyes grounded out, Castillo reached on a pitcher's error and Wright grounded into a fielder's choice to drive in a run. Beltran would tack on another run but Delgado would strike out swining to end the rally. Good effort anyway.

The Bad: Jake Peavy dominated the Mets which resulted in some ugly numbers in the box score.

Overall: The Mets just flat-out lost.

2 Cents: Reyes keeps re-writing the record books.

Final Score: Mets 5, Padres 7. Record: 71-54.

Game 125: Mets vs. Padres @ Shea Stadium

On a rainy day in New York City, the Mets welcome the Padres to town as they look for another win at home.

The Good: Carlos Beltran another four rbi and a two run double, crushing the ball the other way in the first inning. He then yanked one in his next at bat to add to the Met lead. After coming in and getting crushed on his first two pitches, Heilman escaped a no-out, runners on the corners situation. A line out to first, base running blunder at second, and hard-hit pick at first did the job. Leading off the eighth, Reyes would get to first against Heath Bell on a chopper to third that found a hole under Kevin Kouzmanoff's glove. He would then steal second and move over to third on Luis Castillo's grounder to third. Wright would follow with a walk and Beltran would deliver the clutch (two strike)hit with an r.b.i. liner to left field, his fifth rib eye of the night. However, Delgado would have a difficult time following Beltran and was flat-out dominated by Bell. Alou would ground out to end the inning. In the ninth inning, the Mets would face the closer king in Trevor Hoffman and seemed like they were going to lose the game. However, they brought out some 2006 magic and worked their way back. Milledge would lead off with a liner to left and move over to second on a perfect DiFelice bunt. Marlon Anderson would then step in and deliver yet another clutch rbi single to center field to tie the game. Reyes would bloop one into center and Luis Castillo would end the ballgame with a single up the middle that scored Anderson from second base.

The Bad: Mike Cameron came back and crushed John Maine fastball in the sixth inning. Foolish Milledge error in the seventh. The error would cost the Mets as Schoeneweis (a hit on an 0-2 pitch) and Sosa would allow Cameron to tie the game with an r.b.i. double. Soon after, another run would score on a Khalil Green single (on another 0-2 pitch!). In the ninth inning, Wagner seemed like he wanted to lose the game as he gave up a run and set it up in as many ways possible. The Mets would head into the ninth down by a run.

Overall: Put it in the books!

Notes: The Mets acquired Jeff Conine last night in exchange for a minor leaguer. Anderson Hernandez was sent back down to AAA and Pedro Martinez was moved to the 60-day DL to make room on the roster for Conine. Conine brings tremendous value and lots of playoff experience. Meanwhile, Pedro had a positive outing last night by not allowing any earned runs and striking out four. Carlos Beltran was also named Player of the Week after hitting .375, four runs, and driving in ten runs in six games. It is the second time this season that he has taken the award home. Jose Reyes is now only two steals short of setting the Met club record of 66. Phils win, Braves lose, six game lead.

2 Cents: Great job by Reyes, Castillo, Wright, and Beltran to fight back in the eighth. With Bell coming in with an agenda and Hoffman on the horizon, it showed heart from the Met lineup. When will Willie Randolph learn? It's simple, don't bring Wagner in without a lead. Milledge clutch again, DiFelice HUGE bunt, Anderson clutch hit, Reyes battles again, and Castillo climbs up my "favorite Met" charts. Even Conine got in on the celebration. This is a game we should have won and did win.

Final Score: Mets 7, Padres 6. Record: 71-53.

Game 124: Mets vs. Nationals @ RFK Stadium

In his first start since throwing 130 pitches, El Duque aims to earn yet another win for the Mets.

The Good: Although Wily Mo Pena made a nice play to lead off the game and rob Reyes of at least a triple, Castillo and Wright teamed up to put the Mets ahead early. Castillo walked, Wright singled, and Beltran hit a sac fly to move both runners up. Shawn Green also had a nice backhand at first to lead off the game. Hernandez then got some two out help when Austin Kearns was called out after El Duque drilled him in the back (revenge for Kearns drilling him in the ankle?); the official ruling was that Kearns was running out of the baseline. After giving up a bomb to Wily Mo Pena in the fourth inning, Hernandez battled through seven innings and left with a chance to earn the win (thanks to Beltran's game tying homer in the sixth). This time, unlike in the past, the Met offense came through. Castillo led off the eighth with a single and moved to third on Wright's bomb of a dobule. Beltran was then intentionally walked and the Mets took a two-run lead with a Shawn Green single. Marlon Anderson would hit a double to deep right to score two more runs and would end up on third. In the ninth, Beltran would tack on two more runs with another blast to right field. Jorge Sosa and Pedro Feliciano would close out the final two innings.

The Bad: Wright's 15th error. Sandy Alomar also looked terrible at the plate, although he did gun out a potential base stealer.

Overall: A successful road trip, series sweep, and the Mets earn their 70th win to go 17 games over .500 for the first time all season.

Notes: Prior to the game, the Mets placed Damion Easley on the disabled list and expect him to miss the rest of the season. The Mets now have three of the top five pitchers in the league with the lowest batting averages against.

Two Cents: Suffice it to say that Luis Castillo has become the perfect addition alongside Jose Reyes.

Final Score: Mets 8, Nationals 2. Record: 70-53.

Game 123: Mets vs. Nationals @ RFK Stadium

After his recent struggles, Oliver Perez looks to renew his first-half success.

The Good: After putting on a show in a pre-game home run contest, Luis Castillo broke his long homerless streak by hitting one over the left-field fence in the first inning. He also drove in Reyes in the third after he beat out Felipe Lopez's throw that was wide right. In the fifth, after the Nationals played sloppy ball, David Wright would bloop one down the right field line to score Reyes from second and Castillo from first. Castillo hustled, never stopped running, and showed emotion with Reyes after he scored. Mike DiFelice and Moises Alou would tack on more runs with doubles of their own in the later innings. Lastings Milledge also got in on the fun by hitting a two out rbi in the ninth inning to score Moises Alou. After seeing him battle the flu for a few days, it was another big hit for Milledge. Mota got Perez out of trouble, Sosa & Heilman were decent, and Wagner earned his 29th save.

The Bad: Oliver Perez struggled a bit, focused after Randolph's verbal challenges, and then had to be removed to preserve a Met win. He wasn't great, but won anyway. In the sixth inning, the Mets probably lost Damion Easley for the season when he sprained his ankle pretty badly.

Other News: Micah Owings completely manhandled the Braves tonight by striking out seven batters over seven innings, hitting two home runs (one measure at 440+ ft.), collecting four hits, ten total bases, and four rbi. While being the first person to do so since A-Rod's three-hr, ten rbi game in 2005, he also set numerous records along the way. Why is this guy not starting in the outfield when he's not pitching?

Overall: Scrappy win, tough to lose Easley, and the Mets have now taken five out of their last six.

Notes: The Mets have scored 45 runs in their last six games. With tonight's steal, Reyes is one stolen base short of tying his career-high of 64; he remains three away from tying Roger Cedeno's club mark of 66. Prior to the game, the Mets placed Ramon Castro on the 15-day DL. Sandy Alomar Jr. was called up to be the backup.

Two Cents: The more I see Castillo play, the more I like what I see. He is hitting .328 since joining the Mets. Reyes, Wright, and Alou continue to rake. It's terrible to see someone like Easley go down in such a meaningless spot. He has been great all year and was having a good game as well.

Final Score: Mets 7, Nationals 4. Record: 69-53.

Game 122: Mets vs. Nationals @ RFK Stadium

Try number two for Tom Glavine as he tries to be the stopper while earning 301.

The Good: Win number 301 is delivered after Glavine's seven inning performance. With the win, he passes Lefty Grove on the all-time win list. Glavine was good again. Easley stepped in at first base and put the Mets ahead early with his tenth homer of the year. David Wright also drove Reyes in to continue his good streak. Speaking of streaks, Alou hit another one out and barely missed another two. Mike Difelice collected a sac fly and broke the game open in the eighth with a two-rbi triple down the right field line, his first in three years. However, the play of the game occurred when "the Mets turned an acrobatic double play in the bottom of the fifth, starting when SS Reyes dove to his left to stop a groundball up the middle by Zimmerman. On his knees, Reyes glove-shoveled the ball on one hop to 2B Luis Castillo, who made an off-balance throw to first to end the inning" (Yahoo.com). It was great to see the Mets focus and play a great all-around game to bounce back after last night's game. Pedro Feliciano recorded the last five outs of the game and desperately needed a positive outing. Jose Reyes also continued with his improved play that he has shown over recent weeks.

The Bad: Nothing worth being picky about.

Overall: A solid bounce back game but they are probably just teasing us again. Phils win, Braves lose.

Notes: The Mets have the best record in baseball in series openers with a 26-14 mark. Reyes stole his 62nd base of the season while Wright was caught stealing for only the third time.

Final Score: Mets 6, Nationals 2. Record: 68-53.

Game 118: Mets vs. Marlins @ Shea Stadium

The Mets try to get a win on get-away-day in what has been a disappointing series for them so far.

The Good: Moises hit a three run homer to left in the bottom of the third and Jose Reyes would add a shot of his own in the third. Then, when Ramon Castro left the game after three innings in the sixth, Mike DiFelice would be brought into the game and, as always sees to happen, promptly contributed by picking off Cody Ross with a snap throw to third in the fifth inning. Alou would one-up Reyes in the sixth when he hit his second home run of the game (a high fastball that seemed impossible to hit) over the left field wall. In the eighth, the Mets would tack on five runs with a Carlos Delgado two run homer, his 18th, a Luis Castillo rbi single, and a Lastings Milledge two rbi single. Although Oliver Perez struggled, Sosa pitched two innings for the win and Aaron Heilman teamed up with Billy Wagner to bounced back from bad outings.

The Bad: After giving up a homer to Hanley Ramirez in the first inning, Oliver Perez managed to get through five innings but gave up four runs along the way. The offense and bullpen picked him up and the Mets eked out a win.

Overall: It's nice to win the last game of the series with an off day coming up tomorrow.

Notes: Prior to the game, the Mets celebrated Tom Glavine's 300th win. Reyes' stolen base total now stands at 56.

Final Score: Mets 10, Marlins 4. Record: 65-52.

Game 117: Mets vs. Marlins @ Shea Stadium

With win number 301 finally under his belt, Glavine heads back to the mound with all the pressure off of his shoulders.

The Good: David Wright hit a two run homer in the fourth inning to score Luis Castillo and then hit another bomb in the sixth to get back the run Glavine gave up in the top half. After falling behind in the seventh, the Mets would fight back in the bottom half. Lastings Milledge would single to right and would move to second when Ramon Castro also singled to left. Jose Reyes would then reach on a bunt that forced a Miguel Olivo throwing error down the line; the error allowed Castro to move up and Milledge to score. Reyes would then steal second and Castro would score on a Luis Castillo ground out. After David Wright fouled out down the right field line, Cody Ross fired a perfect strike home to gun Jose Reyes out at the plate. However, replays showed that Reyes was clearly safe (and Angel Hernandez clearly wrong) but the call still stood as Reyes & Randolph argued the call. The run wouldn't have mattered as the Met bullpen went on to give up two more runs anyway.

The Bad: In the top of the seventh, Mota was asked to relieve Glavine and then was asked to load the bases when it didn't come easy. After falling behind Josh Willingham with a 2-0 count, he grooved a meatball down the middle and Willingham crushed it over the left field wall for a grand slam. That made the score 5-3 and Mota had blown yet another game. The Mets, however, would bounce back and tie the score in the bottom of the seventh. Nevertheless, the Mets would lose the game when Miguel Cabrera would drive in two runs on a two out single off of Aaron Heilman in the eighth inning.

Overall: Another disappointing heartbreaker.

Notes: Jose Reyes swiped his 55th bag of the year.

Two Cents: Near 100 pitches and after six successful innings, why would Randolph send Glavine back out in the seventh? Not only that, he wouldn't let him dig himself out of a bloop single and would bring Mota into the game. When he wasn't effective, he asked Mota to walk the bases loaded ('99 NLCS anyone?) only for Mota to blow the lead. Then, when Reyes was clearly safe, there was barely any argument from Willie. Finally, down by two runs in the ninth, Randolph removes his best contact hitter for Carlos Beltran (who was dominated by Gregg the night before) who promptly struck out to end the game. Now, I am and always have been a supporter of Willie Randolph, but his decisions as of late have been driving me crazy. Hopefully, the Mets luck will turn around in the next few games.

Final Score: Mets 5, Marlins 7. Record: 64-52.

Game 116: Mets vs. Marlins @ Shea Stadium

Brain Lawrence will get some help from a surprising source tonight as Carlos Beltran has been activated from the DL and placed into the starting lineup for tonight's game.

The Good: Brian Lawrence found a way to leave with a quality start under his belt after a rocky beginning to his night. In the bottom of the fifth, with the Mets down by two, Jose Reyes reached first base on an error by Dan Uggla and advanced to second when Luis Castillo placed a beautiful bunt down the third base line for a hit of his own. Carlos Beltran than seemed unphased after two weeks on the disabled list by jacking a home run to deep right field to give the Mets the lead. Delgado had a nice catch-tag at first in the eighth inning that helped finish off Jorge Sosa's two innings of relief, a role that he has adapted to pretty well so far.

The Bad: Carlos Delgado and Moises Alou keep crushing the ball and have nothing to show for it. Gotay and Reyes couldn't get an important run in from third base during the eighth inning. After not giving up a run in eigth weeks, Wagner finally proved to be human.

Overall: Hanley Ramirez single-handedly won this game for the Marlins. I can't really say that I am surprised.

2 Cents: It's simple: Don't throw Miguel Olivo a first pitch strike. How hard is it to figure out the simplest things for the Mets? Can Cohen and Darling be bigger jinxes? Honestly, you could see this coming as Wagner has been shaky more often than not as of late. Although he wasn't blowing saves, he was getting "lucky," as he called it. Kudos to Castillo for wearing his emotions on his sleeve yet again.

Final Score: Mets 3, Marlins 4. Record: 64-51.

Game 115: Mets vs. Braves @ Shea Stadium

The Mets look to build off of last night's great win by taking the noon rubber game from the Atlanta Braves. John Maine takes on Tim Hudson in what should be a good game to watch.

The Good: The Mets scored early and late but fell asleep in between. It was good to see the passion in the players as they fought back from a big deficit. Jose Reyes singled to start the game once again and scored on a David Wright hit. In the ninth inning, the Mets would cut a 7-3 deficit to 7-6 on a David Wright homer. That was the last good news they would receive. Reyes three hits, Wright three hits, and Alou *two hits.

The Bad: Although they were getting robbed on numerous defensive plays, the Mets would hold a lead until the top of the fifth when Chipper Jones crushed a three-run homer off of the scoreboard in right; Mark Teixeira followed that with a homer of his own. It seems like John Maine was rattled after the Chipper homer and consistent concentration is still lacking on his part. Jorge Sosa then allowed a run in his lone inning of work which would prove to be costly. Then, when it seemed like the Mets had tied it in the ninth inning on a Carlos Delgado homer, Willie Harris brought back memories of Endy Chavez as he leaped over the fence to make a game-saving grab. The Mets couldn't get any big outs and ended up getting outplayed & outhustled by the Braves.

Overall: As heartbreaking as heartbroken gets.

Other News: Rick Ankiel, called up for the first time since 2004, is now on the major league roster for the Cardinals as a power-hitting outfielder. After striking out a few times in his first three at-bats, he hit a three-run homer to right field to lead the Cards to a win. Feel good story anyone?

2 Cents: It was great to see the Mets go down swinging while seeing David Wright hold his hands over his head in disbelief. Luis Castillo also continues to impress me as he showed great emotion throughout the series, this time by acting as if he was on the verge of crying when the game ended. Either way, the Mets drop another series to the Braves.

Final Score: Mets 6, Braves 7. Record: 64-50.

Game 114: Mets vs. Braves @ Shea Stadium

El Duque takes on the Braves tonight in a great match-up against their ace, John Smoltz.

The Good: El Duque pitched great, the offense was clutch, and the Mets showed passion. After leading off the game with a single and stealing second base, Jose Reyes put the Mets up early on David Wright's sac-fly to center. They would hold that lead until the sixth inning and would battle back in the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, Jose Reyes would pop out to right for the second out of the inning. Luis Castillo would then deliver a huge hit with a broken-bat-single to center that tied the game at three.In the bottom of the eighth inning, Moises Alou clubbed a two-strike, no out homer to left off of Rafael Soriano to put the Mets ahead for good. Heilman would record his seventh win and Billy Wagner would escape a bases loaded, no-out jam to save the game (Francouer FC5-2, Andruw Jones 4-6-3).

The Bad: Nothing really, aside from Pedro getting smacked around in the minors. El Duque gave up some late runs and Billy Wagner almost blew it, but almost doesn't count.

Overall: Big win.

Notes: Reyes' steal was his 54th of the season. Luis Castillo is hitting about .350 since joining the Mets.

2 Cents: Alou does it again; it seems whenever he does something bad, he redeems himself.....then he gives it right back sooner or later. El Duque showed passion, Castillo showed fire, and the Mets were all into it on this night...I liked what I saw.

Final Score: Mets 3, Braves 2. Record: 64-49.

Game 113: Mets vs. Braves @ Shea Stadium

After dominating the Braves in his previous three starts against them, Oliver Perez takes the mound looking for another win.

The Good: The Mets scored some runs but it was not nearly enough. In the fifth, the offensive highlight for the Mets came on a Dave Newhan pinch-hit single that scored Lastings Milledge. Reyes then grounded out to score Newhan (he has been good since being called up). Schoeneweis, Mota, and Feliciano all pitched well while the Mets trailed.

The Bad: Oliver Perez gave up as many bloops as I've ever seen and was in a 6-run hole before he knew it. Francoeur absolutely killed us tonight.

Overall: Bad way to start a series against Atlanta; can't come out lackadaisical in a game like this.

2 Cents: Why would you throw Matt Diaz a first-pitch fastball? How many times before you learn? If Moises Alou grounds into another double play in a key situation...Yunel Escobar is good at baseball.

Final Score: Mets, 3Braves 7. Record: 63-49.

Game 112: Mets vs. Cubs @ Wrigley Field

The opportunity has arrived once again as Tom Glavine shoots for win number 300.

The Good: At least for a day, the Mets will allow Glavine to hold the "Tom Terrific" moniker as he is the first pitcher to record his 300th win in a Met uniform. Lastings Milledge also collected three hits on national television and stole his first base of the year; he also gunned out Alfonso Soriano at third base. Tom Glavine got the first Met run by singling up the middle with two outs after Milledge had stolen second. Jose Reyes also collected three hits and stole his 53rd base while Luis Castillo collected four hits and stole two bases. The bullpen (minus Mota) was great as well. Most importantly, Green, Lo Duca, and Delgado all swung the bats well and played winning baseball.

The Bad: Alfonso Soriano got hurt in a key spot as he pulled up with a strained quad but you hate to see any player go down, especially the best ones in the game. Luis Castillo also gave Met fans a scare when he was removed from the dugout with the help of others; he was taken out due to heat exhaustion.

Overall: Perfect night.

2 Cents: Glavine was great, Delgado was clutch and looked good at the plate; you have to love Lo Duca's will to be out there for Tommy; and Wagner closed the game out yet again. I love how Randolph took no chances after Mota came in and gave up a hit/run. It sends the right "get the job done" message and I was thrilled to see him make the moves that he did.

Final Score: Mets 8, Cubs 3. Record: Mets 63-48.