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.