Three in a row, and there is a new energy at Shea.
Up and down the lineup everyone is contributing, and the "Super-Subs" have kicked it into a new gear.
Couple that with some stellar relief pitching and solid defense, and you have a team that is suddenly looking like the formidable powerhouse we thought they'd be coming into the season.
Are there still question marks? Of course. But there are also signs pointing to greatness.
We have seen the hump, and it appears to be in the rear view mirror.Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E L.A. Dodgers 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 4 7 2 N.Y. Mets « 0 0 2 4 0 0 2 0 x 8 13 0
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Oh where to start? Hmmmm, did I hear David Wright? OK, will do.
David Wright hit two more home runs off Brad Penny....he owns him, I mean really owns him. If David wright yells "Bitch" in a restaurant in Alberta Canada, Brad Penny comes running with a wetnap.
DW and his adoring fans enjoyed the all-star's first multihomer game of the season. Brad Penny's master is now 11-for-19 (.579) with four home runs and five walks against the wetnap dispenser.
But DW was just one story on a night when the Mets looked terrific in all facets of the game.
The 1-5 batters, Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado, combined for 11 hits and 3 walks. With that kind of production at the top the Mets produced 8 runs and were consistently putting men on base in each inning.
How nice was it to see Carlos Delgado go 2 for 4?
For those that watched the game, how about that bizarre 4th inning? At this point in the game the Mets had a 2-0 lead and Penny seemed to have settled down after giving up DW's 2-run bomb earlier in the game. The Mets had two outs and none on in the fourth when pitcher Claudio Vargas grounded out--OK, routine groundout, they threw him out at first, and SNY cut to commercial.
Just before they cut away I was wondering why Vargas didn't really run to first. Suddenly SNY comes back on, Vargas is at first, and Jose Reyes is at the plate!
Russell Martin was called for catcher's interference and Vargas was given first base. Jose Reyes promptly stroked a single, Luis Castillo hit an RBI double and Wright connected for his 11th homer and a 6-0 lead.
Wacky times come to Shea!
The Dodgers then came back with two home runs and it was 6-3 Mets. Jeff Kent hit one of the dingers, and it was an absolute blast....it cleared the stadium in left field....truly a monster shot.
Willie turned it over to the bullpen and we again saw good old fashioned mound domination.
Scott Schoeneweis, who is having a magical season, pitched 1.2 innings of perfect relief and lowered his season ERA to a sparkling 1.25. The Shea faithful rewarded his performance with a standing ovation that he richly deserved.
Joe Smith then came on for the final 4 outs, closing out the game in fine fashion with an on the black and down fastball that drew an emphatic "strike three" call from the ump.
A few shout outs:
Endy Chavez has the mojo right now. In the top of the first he made a sparkling catch and throw to nail Juan Pierre trying to score from third. Moreover, he also had an RBI hit and drew a patient walk. He looks fearless out there and really locked in right now. 6 for his last 13.
Endy is a ballplayer.
Brian Schneider is one old school son of a bitch. Does anyone block the plate the way he does anymore? He calls a great game, communicates with his pitchers during and between innings, has a cannon for an arm, and can hit a little too.
As a baseball fan for a few decades it warms my heart to see a throwback like Schneider playing the game the right way.
Jose Reyes looks loose and determined. He has now gotten on base in 29 consecutive games and has superb numbers for the month of May--numbers that I expect him to carry through for the remainder of the year.
The Reyes of 2006 is back....and better.
NY Daily News runs down last night's events.
Mets.com talks about the big win.
Ryan Church nears his return.
Delgado opposes a platoon....well, it may not be your choice.
OK my people, enjoy your coffee!
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