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.