So what happened last night? Was the Mets' 8-4 win over the Nationals the true turning point of this pennant push? Or was it merely the dead-cat bounce of a Mets team that still remains vulnerable down the stretch?
Combined with a Phillies' loss that sliced the Magic Number to 9, I'd say it's the former (though my pessimistic friend Bill over there says otherwise). The Mets showed a bunch of positive signs on Wednesday. Jose Reyes, despite an early error, sparked the top of the lineup with two hits and two runs scored. He also turned the double play of the game in the sixth inning. True, that was a tailor-made grounder Nook Logan hit up the middle, but with Reyes' troubles of late, that was no guarantee.
Moises Alou also inspired his teammates by climbing off the trainer's table and getting into the lineup, despite the very real risk of blowing out that left quadriceps for good. The Mets must hope Alou can keep doing that through October, and it would be nice if Paul Lo Duca has no lingering effects from taking that pitch off his knuckles. I know that the X-rays were negative, but sometimes you don't see a break on the first look.
Carlos Delgado said after the game that he felt great during BP, but with the Marlins throwing Dontrelle Willis tonight, he may wait until tomorrow to return.
If the Mets didn't win Wednesday, Pedro Martinez said he was breaking out the Yoda mask in Miami. Trust me. You don't want to know what that entails.
Comments (11)
bad mojo has lifted..3 outta 4 in FLA to reduce magic number to 5 before returning home
FLA is treating this as a playoff series. They adjusted the rotation and flew tonight's starter home a day early. Bring the A game and slaughter these punks.
Hey, I can't say enough about Mike Pelfrey. He hung in there and gave the Mets a chance to win. And, out of 6 starters in the last 6 games, HE stopped the bleeding. I know it's not like he pitched a gem, but I think that those kinds of performances are what make a team forge that identity that they can count on each other. Even if (probably not) he doesn't make the playoff roster, those 3 wins are the difference right now between the Mets and the Phils. So...good times.
Also, I was checking out the schedule for the rest of the season. The Mets just need to beat up on the Marlins. As long as they can do that, good times. If not, well, in a way, don't they deserve what they get?
And...I'm pulling for an angry Braves team to sweep the Phils too.
I agree that Pelfrey has pitched well recently,but what about earlier in the season when he was the worst pitcher in the rotation.I don't have much faith in him and I shudder at the thought of him starting in the post season.
Hey, I'm not talking about him starting in the playoffs. Just giving credit where credit is due. The truth is that his ERA is about as good as Dice-K's--the difference is that the Mets gave him no run support for the games before he started winning.
MARLON! You're the man! What a great (re)aquisition.
Well tonight takes the cake, After Glavin Blows a 3 run lead all looked hopeless until the ninth,,,good news is the Mets not only ties it but took the lead. However the bottom half I not only have to question Randolph`s managing but the team itself. First where was Wagner? I don`t care how tires you are unless he is hiding an arm injury why was he not used? Secondly we start with Feliciano gives up a single is quickly removed in comes Sosa, gives up a double, a groundout and then Wrights dumb error. To follow that up after a signal Chevaz so concern with the tiying run made an ill advised theow allowing the go ahead run to go to second. What happens? you ask, well a goundball that wouls have been a potential double play. If true game over and a Mets win, but nope not to be. With the teams play, and Randolph`s moves I as a Mets fan wonder if we are going to see Mets baseball in October. Oh by the way the Phillies won their game. Who wants to win More? Right now not the Mets.....
Well I have to give two thumbs up the whole Mets organization. What a dominating performance this team is putting on. Hell from Willie's top managerial moves to the clutch bullpen. I better get the champagne out soon!
Well I guess when you give up a 3 run lead like Sosa did, why not use him to lose the game as well. Good Move Randolph, you have other pitchers in your ballpen, so it is not like you are short on arms.. As of right now Randolph will never be an elite manager, like Larussa, Cox, and when he arrived to manage the Yankees Torre as well. True it took them years to be in a class of the elite however once they managed great teams, they never faultered like the Mets are right now. There is still time to stop the bleeding, but the way the Pitching staff both starters and relief are just awful and the feilding is just as bad right now. All signs of a tems sinking fast and just possibly one where they just do not want to listen to their manager. Bobby V come back.....
We have an answer: it was a dead cat bounce.
David Wright for MVP!
Mets attend Florida Fish fry; end up in skillet.