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.