Good Morning Mets Fans!

We had a lot of fun on Twitter last night following the game.  For those of you wanting a little fan interaction, I really recommend it.  All of the bloggers and beat writers are there, and it's very enjoyable.

It's even more enjoyable when the Mets win, and thanks to Rod Barajas 9th inning herioics, a win it was.

I think Rod needs a slogan.  How about:

The New and improved Rod Barajas, now with even more "A-Ha!"


Barajas solo shot in the ninth inning rallied the Mets to a 5-4 victory.  Truthfully, Rod's heroics should not have been needed, but Jerry Manuel insists on pitching Fernando Nieve until his arm falls off, and Nieve showed a few cracks in the armor in allowing two 8th inning homeruns to the Reds, which erased the Mets 4-2 lead.

Barajas shot was an absolute bomb--Reds closer Francisco Cordero put one right in Rod's wheelhouse, and the sturdy catcher knew exactly what to do.

Barajas now leads the Mets in dingers with seven, which is also the most by any catcher in baseball.

"He's been impressive in that manner," manager Jerry Manuel said. "He's had some big hits at some big moments."

Perpetual Pedro Feliciano got the final out in the eighth and got the win, and Frankie Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save in five tries.

"It's good to win a close game," said David Wright, who hit the other solo homer. "That's something we have not been able to do a lot of this year. Hopefully this gives us a little momentum."


"You don't want to be a team that diminishes a winning streak with a bad streak," Manuel said. "You want to right the ship."

David Wright's homerun came off of Bronson Arroyo, who pitched well, but not as well as he had in the recent past against the Mets.  Jose Reyes is rounding back into offensive shape.  Reyes chipped in with two hits, a run-scoring single in the first and a double in the sixth inning.

There were some very good signs from John Maine as well.  The lanky rigt hander pitched 6 innings and allowed only one earned run.  He also K'd six batters and walked two.

Scoreboard
Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
N.Y. Mets (15-12) «	1	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	1	5	8	1
Cincinnati (13-14)	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	4	6	0

Player of the Game

New York R. Barajas AB 4 R 1 H 1 HR 1 RBI 1

All in all a very satisfying win.  Enjoy your coffee!

Edinson Volquez Suspended 50 Games for PEDs

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez is the guilty party.

He has been suspended for violation of the league's policy against performance enhancing drugs or "PEDs" as they are commonly referred to.

Volquez went 17-6 in 2008 before being injured for much of 2009...he required Tommy John surgery and was rehabbing for a comeback in 2010.

My thoughts are he will claim the violation occurred because of the injury and rehab, and that he is now officially done for the 2010 season.

We will continue to update the story as the events unfold.

PED Player Update: It's a NL Pitcher

Still not named, but here is the update from Craig Calcaterra:

A Major League PED suspension is imminent
UPDATE:  I have learned that the player to be suspended is a National League pitcher.

So here is what we know...

1. Not a Met
2. Mid, Not "Big" Name
3. Pitcher
4. National League
5. Not Chico Escuela

My guesses:

Jason Marquis, Wandy Rodriguez, Brad Penny, Carlos Silva, Bronson Arroyo 

Why do I hope it's a Philly?