The Braves Are a Better Team, Beat Mets 9-3: Confidence = Production = Winning.

After watching last night's 9-3 loss to the Braves (box score) one thing became PAINFULLY clear...The Braves are a VERY VERY GOOD team, and are MUCH BETTER than the Mets.

Here's the thing about the Braves that I think the Mets should consider...

Everyone always says the Mets need better play out of their star players, but where are the Braves stars?  I would say that Heyward, McCann and Chipper Jones (out for the season) are their only real stars.  Yes, Hudson and Hanson are awesome, but not stars.  The big difference between the Mets are Braves is this...

EVERYONE on the Braves can and will hit.  Infante, Prado, Lee, Gonzalez and even Melky Cabrera and Matt Diaz can hit.  Every single person on that team is a serviceable MLB player and at the least a decent hitter.  In the meantime, the Mets have struggled with Barajas, Castillo, Tejada and Francoeur in the line up in some capacity all year. (Although I give Tejada a pass because of his defense, it would be stupid to ignore his lack of hitting thus far.)

So, what's the answer...

Keep developing the young talent.  Because Davis, Thole, Pagan and even Carter are just examples of good young players the Mets can build off of, in a similar way that the Braves have built off Heyward, Prado and McCann.  Add a good pick up (ie Omar Infante), and a guy who knows how to win (ie. Eric Hinske) and the Mets can become next year's Braves.  But first, They need to become more of a team, and letting the young guys play together really builds confidence within the organization.  Maybe the Mets will be as good next year as the Braves are this year, but in order to make that happen they need to rely on the young guys to produce.

The bottom line...

Confidence = Production = Winning.

That crappy song says, I believe the children are our future...

If you're the Mets, you best be taking that advice...That means you too Jerry...

Game 2 Against Astros Tonight at 8:05, History Repeating?

I'm not going to get too ahead of myself only one game into this road trip, but I have a feeling this current road trip has happened before.  The next 6 games the Mets have on the road are against the Astros and Pirates on the road.  Both teams are bad, and both series are completely winnable, if not sweepable, for the Mets.  So, here it comes...

Remember when the Mets went to Cleveland and Baltimore back in June?  Remember what that trip was for the Mets?  I'm trying not to jinx the team here, but I'm thinking this current trip can be the NL version of what the Mets did to the AL bottom dwellers earlier this season.  But, even if that is the case, I wouldn't get too excited...

Anyway, the Mets need to win tonight for that to happen, and the pitching match up is looking pretty favorable as the Mets send Santana to the hill against Nelso Figueroa.  Here's the line up courtesy of the Mets on twitter:

Reyes-SS
Martinez-LF
Wright-3B
Beltran-CF
Davis-1B
Francoeur-RF
Thole-C
Tejada-2B
Santana-P

Pagan gets a night off, keeping Frenchy in right, and moving F-Mart into left field.  It would be nice to see an offensive explosion tonight from the team...We haven't REALLY seen one of those in a bit now...


By the way the last lop-sided game the Mets won, and only one since the All-Star break, was on July 27th against the Cardinals 8-2.  Just sayin'...

Mets Win Game, Series Behind Santana

Today in the "Citi" the Mets defeated the Rockies 4-0 (box score) and took the series from Colorado.  Santana was awesome as the Mets shut out the Rox for the second time in three games to get back to .500 on the season.

Santana went the distance for the Mets today, striking out 10, and allowing only 4 hits.  He was great, and had to be, considering the way the bullpen blew up in last night's game and K-Rod's temporary detainment.  Johan must have seen everything that's happened with the 'pen in the last 18 hours and decided he would rather just do the job himself.

At the plate, Reyes went 2-4 with 2 stolen bases and a RBI, while Beltran went 3-3 with an RBI as well.  Martinez and Pagan drove in the other two runs for the Mets.  Hopefully the good day from Beltran is the start of something and not just a good day from a player who isn't what he used to be.

Either way, winning the series was important, as the Mets head into a three game set with the Phillies this weekend.  Tomorrow night's match up features R.A. Dickey and Cole Hamels.  Let's see if the Mets can get hot one more time before the season ends.

Literally the Deadline

Quick Rant:

The next few games should in my opinion dictate the direction Omar decides to steer the sinking ship come Saturday's trade deadline. Say the Mets drop the 1st two games to St. Louis, and are roughly 9.5 games our of first place....We should NOT be buyers. One piece won't help this team. One new manager won't help this team.

This could be a prime opportunity for the Mets to rebuild and put a decent ballclub out on the field in the seasons to come(With Bobby V back lets pray)

The Mets need new arms. No more Ollie, Maine, Japanese, or tired Relievers.

So, Im proposing we sell high on the new fan favorite Angel Pagan. Yes, he's maybe our most consistant player but the injury prone 29 year old could potentially bring back a decent return, hopefully the kind of pitchers who can compete for a rotation spot next year.

Pretty much anyone other than Reyes, Wright, Ike, Niese and Pelfrey i wouldn't mind parting with if it allows us to rebuild because the Post-Collapse Mets are more disgusting to watch than the 07-08 editions.

At this point I'm all for selling, this team has no life and much like 2004, we need to sink the whole ship if we ever want to see it sail (respectfully) again.

Frenchy May Be On His Way Out

In this article Mike Puma of the New York Post says that the Mets may be sending Jeff Francoeur somewhere else "by the time the Mets finish their series with Los Angeles this weekend."

Well that stinks.

I like Frenchy.  I like his personality.  I love his arm.  I'm not crazy about his plate discipline.  But I still want to see him succeed, and see him succeed in NY, with the Mets.  BUT...

I get it.  Pagan, Beltran and Bay.  There just isn't room for Frenchy...

He's not going to play everyday here, and he should have that opportunity.  Also, he's probably one of the more valuable trade pieces the Mets have right now, in that he's not essential to the team winning and he's young enough, and talented enough, that he has SOME value to a team willing to take a chance on him.  Most likely, we're not talking about a big deal here.  It'll probably be something to help the bullpen, or he'll be part (not necessarily a key one) of a deal that could potentially net a starting pitcher.

Either way, I'm a bit dissapointed.  But I think most people saw this coming at some point.  I know he was only in New York for what amounts to a year, BUT, this feels like I am breaking up with a girlfriend.  I just hope we can still be friends...

Mets Lose in Extras, Get Swept in the Desert

Despite Angel Pagan's best efforts the Mets fell to the D'backs again last night 4-3 (box score/wrap).  The Mets were swept in Arizona after losing 3 of 4 to the Giants.  For those of you keeping track that puts them at 1-6 so far on this road trip, and only by the mercy of the baseball gods, have they managed to stay ONLY 6.5 games behind the Braves.

It has been a bad week so far, and a horrendous second half of the season.  The only potential bright spot is that the Mets are now heading to L.A. to take on a Dodgers team that has also gone 1-6 in the second half of the season so far.  But playing bad teams haven't helped the Mets recently, since they were just swept by one of the worst teams in the league...

The four game set the Mets have with the Dodgers starts tonight at 10:10.  The Mets are sending Takahashi to the hill against Hiroki Kuroda.  It's time for a turn-around...

Mets Lose Again in Desert, In Danger of Getting Swept By One of the Worst Teams in Baseball

Last night, despite the best efforts of Dickey, Thole and Pagan the Mets lost their second straight to the D'Backs 3-2 (box score/wrap).  The worst part of this whole mess is that now they could potentially get swept by one of the worst teams in baseball, and in order to avoid it, they'll have to beat Dan Haren.  Needless to say, Haren is a much better pitcher than Barry Enright, and he held the Mets to one run in 8 innings of work.  This is starting to get ugly quick...

The only real offense to speak of last night came off solo shots from Josh Thole and Angel Pagan, respectively.  Barry Enright? Really?  The Mets offense looks awful right now, even with the "shot in the arm" it was supposed to have gotten from Beltran and Castillo. 

Dickey continued his string of pitching well enough to win, and then not winning.  He went 7 innings giving up 3 runs.  Unfortunately for Dickey, the D'backs decided to test Beltran's range and speed last night by hitting balls into the gap, which CLEARLY still isn't where it was because of the injury.  He's just not getting to the balls in the gap, and behind him, the way he used to and it makes it tough to watch, especially when you think about who's playing right field for the Mets...

Tonight the Mets look to avoid the sweep by sending Jon Niese to the hill against Dan Haren.  The offense better wake up, because even if Niese tosses up zeroes all game, it won't be crap until they start scoring...

Mets Wrap Up First Half With W, 48-40 Record

Today, Johan Santana stepped up and delivered his second consecutive dominant performance, and helped lead the Mets to a 3-0 victory (box score/wrap).

Santana threw 7 innings giving up only 5 hits and walking 3, while striking out 5.  Bobby Parnell came in after Johan and continued his quality performances since returning to the bigs with a perfect eighth inning before K-Rod came in and threw a perfect inning of his own.  Mets pitching was the story today, and that was what brought the team back to within 4 games of the Braves.

For the Mets at the plate, Ike Davis went VERY deep, Josh Thole got a pinch hit RBI and Alex Cora drove in a run as well.

The Mets head into the All-Star Break 4 games back of the Braves and 8 games over .500, and they'll be getting, arguably their best player, Carlos Beltran back right after the break.  In order to make the room for Beltran, Jesus Feliciano was sent back down, and Angel Pagan will be sliding over to right field.  Although I want to see more playing time for Frenchy, there is no denying that Angel Pagan makes this team better than Francoeur does.  I hate to say this, but Frenchy will have to be a part-time player for the rest of the season, unless he is traded or something...

Either way, this team is a LOT better than people thought they would be at this point in the season and that alone is VERY EXCITING.  The second half will hopefully be full of more good baseball and more Met victories...

Let's Go NL. 

Cliff Lee Watch: Reds and Rangers Into It

In an article published late last night for MLB.com, here, T.R. Sullivan reports that the Rangers and Mariners are having discussions centered around Cliff Lee.  In the article Sullivan throws around names like Justin Smoak, Chris Davis, Derrek Holland, Blake Beavan and Jarrod Saltalamacchia as potential trade pieces that the Rangers could use to get Lee. 

Smoak and Chris Davis are two major league ready bats, with Davis having the bigger power potential but being the more inconsistent of the two, which is why he's not with the big club.  (Side note: I do a home run pool every year and the last two I've taken Chris Davis, in the prospect category, only to see him not stick around in the majors long enough to provide me much help).  Saltalamacchia is another guy who just doesn't seem to be what people thought he would be, but maybe it's been the injuries or moving in between organizations that have retarded his progress.  As for Holland and Beaven although they aren't the top pitchers in the Rangers system, they still have nice upside.  So, any deal to me, involving Beaven or Holland, along with Davis and Saltalamacchia would have to be considered by Seattle.  But...

I wonder whether a deal from the Rangers involving Salty, Holland and Davis is a better deal for the Mariners than something like Mejia, Thole and Pagan/Nieuwenhuis/Havens/etc from the Mets.  But it's always difficult to trade within the division, right?  And, Isn't Safeco where power hitters go to die?  I would argue that Thole/Pagan would make more sense in Seattle than a Davis or Salty because of Thole's hitting style, Pagan's speed, and the "small ball" mentality that the Mariners seem to have with Ichiro, Jack Wilson and Figgins.  But the Mariners did recently re-acquire Russell Branyan, so maybe it's not so "small ball" after all...

As for the Reds, rumors have them swapping names with the Mariners about Lee as well.  According to FOXSports Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, here, some names that might be considered are Juan Francisco, Yonder Alonso along with Matt Maloney and Travis Wood. 

More top prospects being discussed here, and that's what it's going to take to get Lee because he immediately transforms a team into a contender, and if they were one to begin with, it makes them a serious contender.  Especially considering how he's been pitching lately...

So while I think the Mets need to be in on Lee, I wouldn't be miserable if they acquired someone like Ted Lilly instead.  There are many options out there, and I hope Omar does whatever he needs to do to improve the team, without giving up the entire farm.

Niese Pitches Well But Arroyo Has Mets Number as Reds Win 3-1

Tonight Niese made only a few mistakes, but infortunately two of them were against Brandon Phillips who made Niese pay by driving in two runs and leading the Reds to a 3-1 win tonight (box score/wrap), and a series win.

Bronson Arroyo killed the Mets yet again tonight, going 8 innings, scattering 7 hits and giving up only a solo homer to Angel Pagan.  The Mets had chances tonight, but just couldn't get things done, especially in the 8th and 9th innings, when they had opportunities with the tying run (at least) at the plate.

Pagan and Thole both had two hit nights for the Mets but it just wasn't enough.  The offense just didn't get it done tonight and as well as Niese pitched, it just wasn't enough.  Niese went 7 and 2/3 innings giving up 3 runs while striking out eight.  Niese continues to look good this year, and has proven that he can be a valuable and successful piece to this pitching staff throughout the season.  But as well as Niese threw tonight, and has been all year, tonight he was just out-done by Arroyo.  It happens...

The Mets have a day off tomorrow before starting a big three game set with the Braves this weekend.  After this series the Mets can be tied with the Braves for first, 6 games back, or anywhere in between.  This is an important series for confidence considering how early in the season it is, and the way it's timed against the All-Star break.

Mets/Nats Tonight at 7:05

Tonight in Washington the pitching match up is Luis Atilano against Jon Niese.  Here's the line up courtesy of the Mets on twitter:

Pagan-8
Tejada-6
Wright-5
Davis-3
Bay-7
Barajas-2
Francoeur-9
Cora-4
Niese-1

Pagan is back in the line up, as is Jason Bay, which should help spark the Mets offense.  Unfortunately the team's true spark plug Reyes is out again, but SHOULD be back tomorrow.  The bottomline is the Mets need to take control of games, as they've had the the games taken to them so far on this road trip.  A nice big top of the first, followed by a goose egg from Niese would be the perfect medicine for that...

Let's Go Mets.

Beltran Might Be Back Monday, Or July 15

So, it looks like the countdown to Carlos is getting real.  According to Adam Rubin of ESPN NewYork, here, the two dates the Mets are targeting for Beltran's return are July 5th and July 15th.  In his article Rubin goes on to explain that if Carlos will not be available for Monday against the Reds, then it wouldn't be worth activating Carlos for the last series before the all-star break.  The reasoning being that once Carlos gets going, they wouldn't want him to have days off for the break, and might rather have him play through the break and then activate him on the 15th instead.

I can't deny the logic there.  It makes sense to keep Carlos playing and active.  Although I would love to have him up by Monday, if he needs a little more time then July 15th sounds great to me.  It would be a nice boost for the team to have Carlos back before the break, and it will certainly create an interesting outfield scenario for the Mets as the trade deadline approaches.  It'll be interesting to see what happens to Angel Pagan and Jeff Francoeur's playing time once Beltran returns. 

But having too many good outfielders is a nice problem to have, especially when one of them is a healthy Carlos Beltran...

Santana Against Livan Tonight, Line Up

Here is tonight's line up courtesy of David Lennon on twitter:

Feliciano-8
Tejada-6
Wright-5
Davis-3
Francoeur-9
Carter-7
Blanco-2
Cora-4
Santana-1


I guess Jose needs another night off.  Hopefully tonight will be the last of that.  Also, it looks like Jerry really wants to keep trying to find ways to get Carter at bats, which I'm fine with, but Bay didn't start on Tuesday either.  Does he really need another night off?  I'm not sure tonight is the best time to sit him.  Also looks like Pagan is getting a little more time to rest, and Barajas has been pretty bad lately, so I like Blanco in there.


Overall...this isn't the normal line up...


But either way...


Let's Go Mets.

Recap: A Win, An Injury, A Rumor, A Rehab

Here's a list of things I want to recap and give my input on.  Normally I would have done them WHILE they were happening but sometimes things get busy...

Last night the Mets defeated the Marlins 6-5 (box score/wrap), despite a poor outing from Mike Pelfrey.  Pelfrey got pounded to the tune of 12 hits and 4 runs in 4 and 2/3 innings of work.  NOT A GOOD NIGHT.  Fortunately for the Mets, the offense and bullpen were able to pick Pelfrey up and get the team a win, which helped them avoid the sweep in Puerto Rico.  K-Rod came in in the eighth after Parnell put the Mets in some trouble, but K-Rod was able to get Wes Helms to fly out.  Then K-Rod made it interesting, again, in the ninth but was able to save the game for the Mets.

The Mets got some nice all-around effort on the offensive end, highlighted by David Wright's 2-5 game with 2 RBI and another pinch-hit RBI from Josh Thole (his second in two night).  And not to be the guy who rains on our parade, because I DO think this team is better overall with Barajas behind the plate, BUT...he's now down to .244 and the staff has been getting ripped lately.  All I really mean to say by that is, I'm happy the Mets decided to wait before considering extending Rod...

Also of note from yesterday's game was Jose Reyes' last minute removal from the line up due to a his side hurting, which you can read more about on Metsblog, here.  In the post, Michael Barron quotes Jerry as saying it had something to do with the turf at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.  That wouldn't surprise me much considering the way Gary and Keith talked about the field basically being built on top of a parking lot, and the cement being the base underneath the field.  Either way, I hope to see Jose back in the line up tonight, BUT, I also wouldn't be surprised if he needed another night off.  Any more missed time than that and I may start getting concerned...

ON TO OLLIE...

I know he's doing rehab starts and all that, but is it really necessary?  He has no trade value anyway.  The best thing the Mets can hope for is that he "suffers a set back" the same way John Maine did and the team can continue on without him.  As for Beltran's rehab seemingly going well, I'm cautiously excited.  I know it's cliche and people have been saying this for quite some time, but Beltran REALLY is the best player the Mets can add at the trade deadline....Well....offensive.

Speaking of Cliff Lee, Metsblog notes some rumors here and here regarding how much the Mets would need to give up to get Lee.  Here's what I would and wouldn't do...

The following I think can be traded in any combination in order to get Lee, of course with the caveat that they cannot take more than 4 from this list: Josh Thole, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Jordany Valdespin, Reese Havens, Bobby Parnell, Brad Holt, Ruben Tejada, Sean Ratliff or Juerys Familia.

NOW, if the Mariners needed one of F-Mart, Wilmer Flores, Angel Pagan or Jenrry Mejia to get the deal done I would NOT want to give up more than one of them combined with NO MORE than two of the guys from the previous list.

Interestingly enough, I think the guy who is closest to untouchable to me is Wilmer Flores.  But, I don't think anyone should be off limits right now.  The farm system seems to have enough in it that you can make this deal without losing all your top prospects.  So Omar, make a deal to make this team a winner.  Just be smart about it, and don't give up too much...

Mets Go Deep, Beat Twins 6-0 To Take the Series

David Wright, Jeff Francoeur and Ike Davis powered the Mets to a 6-0 victory behind some great pitching from Niese and the bullpen (wrap/box score). 

Today was a total team effort, great pitching and some good hitting as well.  Francoeur, Feliciano and Wright all had three hits for the Mets.  Ike Davis also brought it today, going 2-4 with the homer and 2 runs scored. 

On the hill, Niese was great going 6 innings and giving up only 4 hits and 3 walks.  The bullpen also got the job done tossing 3 scoreless innings after Niese left the game. 

Today was a great day on the field for the Mets, but not a great day off it.  Both Jenrry Mejia and Angel Pagan are injured, as Mejia went down today with shoulder stiffness, as relayed here.  Meanwhile, Angel Pagan continues to be out with some muscle issues on his side.  Originally expected to be back tomorrow, Metsblog is reporting it'll probably be another few days.

Tomorrow the Mets head to Puerto Rico to take on the Marlins.  Game one features R.A. Dickey against Ricky Nolasco at 7:10.  The team just needs to keep winning series, and what a better way to start than taking the first of three tomorrow night...

Let's Go Mets.

Mets/Twins Today at 1:10, Line Up Time

Here's the line up for today's game as Niese and the Mets take on the Twins and Scott Baker.  Today's line up is courtesy of the New York Mets on twitter:

Reyes-6
Feliciano-8
Wright-5
Davis-3
Bay-7
Barajas-2
Francoeur-9
Tejada-4
Niese-1

According to Metsblog, here, it looks like Pagan needs another day off, but should be ready to go in Puerto Rico tomorrow against the Marlins.


The Mets could really use a big performance from Niese (as could my fantasy team) today to get the team the series win.

Let's Go Mets.

Mets vs. Twins Just Minutes Away, Line Up Time

He's tonight's line up and pregamer courtesy of Metsblog.com:

Reyes SS
Feliciano CF
Wright 3B
Davis 1B
Bay LF
Thole C
Francoeur RF
Tejada 2B
Pelfrey P

Should be fun to see Thole starting tonight, giving Blanco a day off who's been filling in for Barajas, who's been out with back spasms the last couple games.  Also, looks like Pagan needed another day off.  Hopefully, he'll be back tomorrow...interesting that Feliciano is hitting second again.  Oh, wait...nevermind it's not interesting, it's JERRY.

Anyway, looks like a nice night for a rebound.

Let's go Mets.

Rumors For Lee Include Mejia and Pagan

According to this article from the Mariners Blog on The Seattle Times' site, the Mets and Twins seem to be the two teams most likely to land Cliff Lee.  This link was forwarded via rotoworld.com, here, as well as Metsblog.

The most interesting part of the article isn't that the Mets seem to be in on Lee, but instead who they could potentially give up to get him.  In the post, Geoff Baker puts the Twins in the driver's seat with the potential addition of Wilson Ramos, a solid catching prospect in the Twins organization.  But Baker is also quick to point out that the Mets have some serious talent of their own that they could include.  Specifically, Baker mentions rumors that the Mets might include Jenrry Mejia and Angel Pagan in a deal for Lee, which Baker thinks would be enough to get Lee to the Mets.

So the obvious question is, Would you take that deal?

My answer...maybe.

Here are my hang ups, Lee's impending free agency and Beltran's health.  If the Mets were to make a deal like this they would need to make sure they could extend Lee and that Beltran was 100%.  While I really like Mejia and Pagan, if Beltran comes back healthy, I would absolutely consider this deal, assuming you could extend Lee.  But those are two BIG BUTS....

So, I think I would pull the trigger if Lee were extended and Beltran proved to be healthy because to me Cliff Lee and Carlos Beltran are better than Jenrry Mejia and Angel Pagan.  But, like I said before, I would need to see a healthy Beltran and I would need to see an extended Lee, and I don't think both of those chips can realisitically fall into place...

Would you make the deal?

Dickey Comes Up Big in Mets 5-0 Win Over Detroit

I know, I know...but I couldn't avoid making that the headline.  Sorry...

But...

It's not like I'm lying because last night R.A. Dickey was awesome, improving to 6-0 on the year and lowering his era to 2.33, after 8 innings of shut out, 4 hit ball against the Tigers last night in the Mets 5-0 win (box score/wrap). 

Dickey was awesome, and K-Rod let his mandatory hitter reach base before he shut the door.  Overall, Dickey has been absolutely fantastic for the Mets.  Dickey is quickly becoming one of those scrap heap signings that Omar likes to hang his hat on, much like Jose Valentin and Fernando Tatis were before him (this is before they were re-signed for entirely too much money after that success).  And I can't help but think that if the Mets acquire another starter that it'll be Takahashi, not Dickey, who'll end up the odd man out of the rotation and will be moved to the 'pen.  It makes the most sense considering Takahashi's success earlier in the year in the 'pen, and the way Dickey has been lights out this season (as much as a knuckleballer can be "lights out").

At the dish, Reyes, Wright and Davis came up big again.  Reyes went 3-4 with an RBI and 3 runs scored, while Wright was 1-3 with an RBI and Davis went 2-4 with 2 RBI.  The other Mets RBI was driven in by Jesus Feliciano who came in for Angel Pagan late in the game because of Pagan having muscle spasms, which you can read about here.  Also worth noting from the game was another hit and run from Ruben Tejada, who although he hasn't been a house of fire or anything, has been productive in his starts.  He's hitting only .255 in 15 games this season, BUT, he has scored 9 runs.  He hasn't exactly been great, but with the rest of the team playing the way they are, he only has to be solid, and in my opinion he's been that...

The Mets are now in a position to go for a sweep tonight, sending Hisanori Takahashi to the hill against Armando Galarraga...

Let's Go Mets.

It's Raining Hits, And...Uh...Rain, As Mets Pound Tigers 14-6

Last night the Mets pounded out 16 hits against the Tigers, including Justin Verlander, and outlasted the rain in a 14-6 win (box score/wrap).

There was a lot of offense to report from last night.  The top 4 hitters in the Mets line up all had at least 3 hits each and an RBI.  In fact, the only starting position player without a hit or RBI or run scored was Rod Barajas, who has quietly slipped back down to a .246 batting average for the year. 

Here are some specifics on the offense explosion the Mets experience last night: Reyes went 3-6 with an RBI and 3 runs scored, Wright went 3-3 with 2 RBI and 3 runs scored, Davis went 3-6 with 3 RBI and 1 run scored.  But the biggest bat last night was Angel Pagan who went 4-6 with 4 RBI and 3 runs scored, and was only a homer away from the cycle.  And Reyes, Francoeur and Bay all swiped bases as well.

Niese pitched well for the first 3 innings, but then the rain came and washed away his good start.  Jerry decided to leave Niese out there after nearly an hour rain delay and it was pretty obvious that affected Niese.  But after Niese gave up 6 runs in 4 and 2/3 innings the bullpen only allowed one hit for the rest of the game, which is nice to see, especially considering the concern over the bullpen not having Mejia anymore.  At least tonight, that wasn't an issue...

But what might become an issue is Beltran making rehab starts beginning Thursday as reported by Metsblog, here.  I mean, Pagan is playing well, obviously.  Francoeur is also playing pretty well himself, so between the two of them Bay and Beltran the Mets will have quite a glut in the outfield.  This will be worth monitoring...especially considering the timing of Beltran's return and the way it may match up with the trade deadline...

Anywho...the Mets take on the Tigers in the second game of this three game set tonight with Dickey facing off against Jeremy Bonderman...

Let's Go Mets.