Game 132: Mets vs. Rockies @ Coors Field

As of late, it has seemed as if no team in the N.L. West has had an answer for the New York Mets. Tonight, however, would not be one of those times. Oliver Perez would make his second start in a Met uniform and would perform horribly. He would have a two run cushion in the first inning after Jose Reyes would double to leadoff the game, Paul Lo Duca would move him over and Carlos Beltran would sacrifice him in. David Wright would also show signs of busting out of his slump when he would homer for the second consecutive night. However, Perez would give three runs right back. All night, it seemed as if Perez was pitching with runners on base due to bloopers, walks, or hard hit balls. It was an overall forgettable night for the ex-Pirate. The Met offense however would not quit but would ultimately fall short. Due to timely double plays by the Colorado Rockies, they would keep the Mets at bay on more than one occassion. The Mets would have a rally in the fourth inning when Reyes would double once again to drive in two runs. Beltran would then hit a hard liner to left to end the inning with crucial runs on base. It would all be moot though, as Perez would quickly allow a two run home run to Garrett Atkins. That would end most of the scoring for both teams as the bullpens would come on and throw scoreless innings for the remainder of the game. The lone tarnish would be Darren Oliver allowing a run in the fifth inning. Opposing pitcher Jeff Francis would also collect a sac fly in the fifth to drive in a run. The Mets took the series in Colorado but leave with a sour taste in their mouths. The once promising Oliver Perez continues to struggle and they failed to sweep the Rockies for the second straight time. Onto Houston they go, where they face one of the more potent starting rotations in the National League.
Final Score: 8-4. Record: 82-50. Magic Number: 15

Notes: Jose Reyes would steal his 55th base of the season (third base) and drive in his 70th run. He also pushed his average back to .300 ater he collected three hits. After the game, it was announced that Tom Glavine is ready to return from inactivity. Orlando Hernandez is also scheduled to start Sunday night's game. The Mets have recalled young second basemen Anderson Hernandez from AAA Norfolk.

Game 131: Mets vs. Rockies @ Coors Field

A night after the Mets pounded the Rockies in Colorado, they sought an encore. Mission accomplished. The Mets got to work quickly tonight as they would put up a 4 spot in the top of the first inning. After a Paul Lo Duca hit, Carlos Beltran and Delgado would walk. David Wright would show more signs of busting out of his month long slump with a deep drive to left center field, his 23rd homerun of the season and the Mets 10th grand slam of the season. Wright would collect his 100 rbi for the second straight year. Shortly after, Jose Valentin would hit the first of his two bombs in the game. The Mets would pile on more runs with hits from Beltran and Wright. Lo Duca would add a sac fly and Delgado would add a home run to left, his 34th of the season. Dave Williams would get his second win in a Mets uniform and would allow three earned runs in a seven inning effort. Roberto Hernandez and Guillermo Mota would come on to each throw scoreless innings to finish out the Rockies. It was the Mets last win in their last 12 games and they now own the best record in baseball.
Final Score: Mets 11, Rockies 3. Record: 82-49. Magic Number: 16.

Notes: Carlos Beltran set a Mets club record by scoring a run in his 12th straight game. Garrett Atkins would make a nice over the shoulder catch on Jose Reyes in the second inning. Dave Williams would contribute a few hits in tonight's effort. Kaz Matsui would get another RBI single in the 7th inning. It was Jose Valentin's first multi-homer game since 2004. Guillermo Mota would pitch very efficiently once again by retiring the side on only 12 pitches to lower his E.R.A to 1.50. Tonight's win was the 13th straight vs. the NL West for the Mets, improving their overall record to 21-7.

Game 130: Mets vs. Rockies @ Coors Field

The showdown tonight would pit Byung-Hyun Kim against "hot" Met pitcher Steve Trachsel. It would be a long night for the Rockies and a good night with the bats for the Mets. Carlos Beltran would get it started in the first inning with a career high 39th home run to center field. Trachsel would jump in and out of trouble throughout the game but would leave with a quality start under his belt. Kaz Matsui would make his case as to why the Mets shouldn't have traded him but it would be a moot point as the Mets would continue to swing the lumber. Jose Reyes would add a home run, Shawn Green would add some rbi, Carlos Delgado and David Wright would add a few triples and Endy Chavez would be Endy Chavez. Chad Bradford would pitch a couple of scoreless innings and Heilman would get hit hard in the ninth while he closed out the game. Final Score: Mets 10, Rockies 5. Record: 81-49. Magic Number: 17.

Notes: Jose Reyes' home run was an opposite field shot to left. Beltran just missed his 40th home run of the season in the 6th inning when his drive to right would hit off the wall. Jose Reyes would also hit one off the high wall in right field for a double. Both drives seemed to be affected by Colorado's humidor. Overall, it was a TERRIBLE night for Rockie right fielder Brad Hawpe. Both times he attempted to dive, he allowed triples and all allowed a flyball to fall at his feet. He also struck out 3 times. Trachsel is now 14-5.

Game 129: Mets vs. Philles @ Shea Stadium

On a quick jump start to a Monday morning, the Mets would try to take the rubber game of a three game series against the rival Phillies. John Maine and Jamey Moyer would be the lead roles in the matinee matchup. Both teams would throw up zero's until the top of the third when Jose Reyes would load the bases on a beauty of a bunt. The Mets would then use seeing eye singles by Paul Lo Duca and Carlos Delgado to take a 3-0 lead. David Wright would then delay the game with an apparent hit off the third base bag that was ruled foul and overturned for a single. That would be followed by an RBI double off the bat of Shawn Green to drive in Carlos Delgado. Thriving Chris Woodward would then finish off the scoring with a sacrifice fly to left center field. Maine's shutout would then end in the 4th inning as struggling Met killer would get back on track with a two run homer to left center field. However, the Mets would answer back in the fourth with Lo Doca's second rbi single of the day. There would be no further scoring until the 7th inning when David Wright would drive in his 92nd run of the year with a sacrifice fly to left to score Carlos Beltran. Roberto Hernandez would pitch a scoreless inning and Guillermo Mota would allow his first run as a met on a home run to Ryan Howard in the 8th inning. Billy Wagner would come on in the 9th inning and would strikeout the side for the Mets second straight win. The Mets take the series after all.
Final Score: Mets 8, Phillies 3. Record: 80-49. Magic Number: 18.

Notes: Ryan Howard just barely missed a three run home run in the top of the first inning. Jose Reyes would obstruct Howard's view on Lo Duca's RBI single (7 game hit streak) in the third inning. Charlie Manuel was ejected for the second time this series during the third inning. David Wright would turn a web gem on Chris Coste in the 4th inning. Jose Reyes would hit his 16th triple of the year in the fourth inning. Shawn Green hit a Shea Stadium "home run" only to flyout to Shane Victorino in deep center field. Carlos Beltran JUST missed his 39th home run of the season in the seventh inning. It fell about an inch short of clearing the left field wall. However, he would promptly steal third base for his 16th stolen base of the season. Mota would strikeout Victorino on a wild pitch to leadoff the 8th inning. The ball would carom right back to Lo Duca who relayed to first for the out. Howard's home run was his 47th of the season. The Mets lead in the division is now 15.5 games.

Game 129: Mets vs. Philles @ Shea Stadium

Rubber game postponed, will be played tomorrow. Phillies get Jeff Conine, grrr. Taveras extends hit streak to 30 games.

Game 128: Mets vs. Phillies @ Shea Stadium

A day after an irritating loss to the rival Phillies, it would be nice to see how the New York Mets would bounce back. Carlos Beltran would quickly prove his MVP worth as he put the Mets ahead by two runs with his 38th home run of the season. Oliver Perez, making his first start as a Met, would escape trouble in the first inning but would carry a no-hitter through four innings. Chris Coste, a career minor leaguer, would take an arguable ball at the plate and would walk to leadoff the inning. Oliver would then load the bases for Ryan Howard and would promptly use his agressiveness to get ahead in the count 2-0. After a few words with Paul Lo Duca, Perez threw a questionable slider that never broke and Howard deposited it over the right center field fence for a grand slam. It was also his major league leading 46th home run of the season. After a few rally killing double plays, the Mets would get on the board once again as Beltran would walk to leadoff the sixth inning. Hot hitting Carlos Delgado would battle his way through a tough at bat that would conclude with him depositing the ball over the left field wall for a two run home run, his 34tth of the season. The Mets would then load the bases for Julio Franco, but the tying run would elude them once more as Franco would ground into a 6-4-3 double play. Darren Oliver and Pedro Feliciano would come on to throw a few zero's on the board and the scene was set for Jose Reyes to lead off the 7th inning. He would line a first pitch fastball off reliever Rick White, which would be followed by a single from Paul Lo Duca. Carlos Beltran would then take a hit by pitch and Delgado would step to the plate with the bases loaded. Facing lefty Aaron Fultz (Yes, THAT Aaron Fultz), Delgado would hit a deep fly to left center field to tie the game and advance all three runners. The Phillies followed by intentionally walking David Wright to face Shawn Green. Green would quickly dig himself a hole by falling to 0-2 in the count. However, he would lay off a tough breaking pitch and would then drive the next offering just over Pat Burrell's glove in left field to give the Mets the lead. The Mets would then take an intentional walk to Jose Valentin and string together a couple of more hits to push the score to 11-5. Jose Reyes and Paul Lo Duca would ground out to end the inning. Willie Randolph would then show some confidence in his newly acquired reliever, Guillermo Mota, by calling upon his right arm to pitch the 8th inning. Mota would dominate once more as he retired all three batters he faced. Guillermo Mota would cap off the night and send the Met faithful home happy by retiring the final three batters he faced.
Final Score: Mets 11, Phillies 5. Record: 79-49. Magic Number: 20.

Notes: Jose Valentin would have a nice diving grab off the bat off Jimmy Rollins to lead off the 7th inning. David Wright's frustration continues to show in the field. Chris Woodward has stepped up his offensive production as of late. Carlos Delgado would feel the wrath of Shea Stadium as his apparent bomb of a home run would be caught at the wall by the Phillies' right fielder in the 8th inning. David Wright's struggles at the plate continue. even his seeing-eye hits would fail tonight as Jimmy Rollins would rob him in the hole in the 8th inning, a la Rey Ordonez. Carlos Beltran would hit his 200th home run of his career in the first inning. It was the 10th time this season that Beltran and Delgado have hit home runs in the same game. The Mets extended their division lead back to 14.5 games and lowered their magic number to 20.

Game 127: Mets vs. Phillies @ Shea Stadium

Fresh off a three game sweep of the Cardinals, the Mets seeked their eighth straight win tonight. Brian Bannister, in his first start since April, got off to a rough start in the first inning, allowing two runs. He would also allow two more runs courtesy of Ryan Howard 's 44th home run of the season, but would settle down for a decent outing. The Mets pulled to within a run in the fifth inning when Carlos Beltran hit his 37th home run of the year (Paul Lo Duca was retired as a crucial out). The Mets seemed to lack that clutch hit all night and hit many balls into the wrong hands. Both bullpens did a fine job tonight in not allowing a run. Julio Franco would get a pinch hit to right field in the ninth inning before Ryan Madson retired Jose Reyes on a strikeout. Get 'em tomorrow but definitely a tough loss to take, tip your cap to Randy Wolf. Final score: Mets 3, Phillies 4. Record: 78-49.

Notes: Jose Reyes stole his 54th base of the season, almost hurting his left hand in the process. Wright's struggles at the plate continue. Endy Chavez's double play in the 6th inning was a big play, considering Chris Woodward's leadoff hit (who was also responsible for a couple of nice plays in the field). Brian Bannister lost the first game of his major league career. The Mets lead in the National League East is now 13.5 games. Tonight's loss ended the Mets seven game win streak overall and eleven game win streak at home. Ramon Castro has been placed on the 60-day disabled list, retroactive to his original injury date. Oliver Perez will most likely be called up for tomorrow's game.

Game 126: Mets vs. Cardinals @ Shea Stadium

After a short wait, today marked the debut of newly acquired Shawn Green. He received a nice ovation in his first at bat as the crowd began chanting his name. He promptly lined into a double play as Ronnie Belliard robbed him of a hit. Paul Loduca would drive in the first run with a triple into the right field corner. David Wright would then make a bid for the 10th Met Grand Slam of the season but would fall short as he would only make the warning track (Lo Duca would tag up and score). The next batter, Shawn Green, would quickly tack on another run with an rbi single to left field. Carlos Delgado would then add a two run homer, his 36th of the season, in the bottom of the fifth inning. Roberto Hernandez would come on to pitch in the sixth to halt a potential Cardinal rally with consecutive strikeouts. Once again, Reyes would tack on more runs in the 8th inning with a run scoring two out single to left. Finally, Guillermo Mota would close out the ninth inning to lead the Mets to their seventh straight win. On a drizzly night at Shea, one thing was clear - The Mets are definitely a force to be reckoned with and are now a season high thirty games over .500. Final Score: Mets 6, Cardinals 2. Record: 78-48.

Notes: The start of the game was delayed for about 40 minutes due to rain. Tennis start James Blake took batting practice prior to the game. Reyes would steal his 53rd base of the season in the third inning; Paul Lo Duca would then follow with his first triple of the season. Endy Chavez continues to play solid defense while David Wright racked up a couple more web gems tonight.. The Mets have now won eleven consecutive games at home (longest streak since 1995). Guillermo Mota pitched effectively once again and Dave Williams won his first game as a Met. Prior to the game, it was announced that Orlando Hernandez would miss his next start to rest his arm while Brian Bannister will make his first start since late April. After the game, Lastings Milledge was optioned to AAA Norfolk to make room for Bannister. The Mets also signed backup catcher Kelly Stinnett.

Game 125: Mets vs. Cardinals @ Shea Stadium

Coming off a thrilling victory, the Mets went up against Marc Mulder, fresh off the DL tonight. It started off good for the Mets as they plated 4 runs early. Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado continued their hot hitting. Chris Woodward would finally get a long awaited clutch hit with a bases clearing double. However, the Mets would strand 2 runners with no one out in the second inning. Jose Reyes would then add three more runs with his 15th home run of the season. The strugging David Wright would also plate a couple of safety runs in the 4th inning. Steve Trachsel received some more run support and would eventually pitch 5+ innings. He would allow 6 runs but would go on the win the ballgame. The Cardinals would fight back to pull the score to within two runs but would get no closer. Billy Wagner would allow a hit to Albert Pujols before retiring Scott Rolen on a comebacker to end the game. It was the sixth straight win for the streaking Mets. Final Score: Mets 10, Cardinals 8. Record: 77-48.

Notes: Reyes collected his 51st and 52nd stolen base. Rolen robbed Beltran on a liner and Wilson robbed Reyes with a sliding catch. Wagner colleected his 32nd save of the season. Julio Franco celebrated his 48th birthday and blew out his 48 candles before tonight's game. Marc Mulder has allowed 9 runs in his past 2 starts. Rolen & Wilson hit back to back home runs in the sixth inning.

Game 124: Mets vs. Cardinals @ Shea Stadium

I CAN'T BELIEVE...WHAT I JUST SAW!!! Carlos Beltran has just hit a walkoff home run off former "Generation K'er" Jason Isringhausen. After a stellar first three innings by John Maine and a home run off Jeff Weaver by Carlos Delgado, the Mets seemed poised to win this game. The Met defense came up big as Jose Reyes' relay throw home from Michael Tucker was picked beautifully by Paul Loduca to barely throw out the run at home plate. However, Pujols disproved any notion of Carlos Beltran becoming NL MVP by collecting 7 RBI before the midway point of the game with a 3 run shot to right and a grand slam to left. The Mets would answer back with a grand slam of their own courtesy of Carlos Delgado (400th HR & 10th straight year with 30 home runs). They would bring the score to within a run as Ronnie Belliard turned a brilliant play in the hole to keep Jose Reyes off the basepaths. Guillermo Mota also came on and showcased his stuff during the inning. With all of these great arms in our pen, we can really have a good bullpen for the next two-three years. Bradford would be called upon in the 7th to get the Mets out of a jam with an inning ending double play against Pujols. It all came down to the ninth inning as Jose Reyes was retired as the leadoff batter. Paul Loduca promptly followed with a single that almost got by So Taguchi in center and the scene was set for Carlos Beltran. Facing the hard throwing Cardinal right-hander, Jason "Izzy" Isringhausen, he deposited a high and tight first pitch fastball over the right field fence to send Shea Stadium into a frenzy. Ball game over. Beltran shows his true value once again. This is what baseball is all about. Final score: Mets 8, Cardinals 7. Record: 76-48.

Notes: During the game, it was announced that Shawn Green had been acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash consideration and minor league prospect Evan McClane. Earlier in the day, Tom Glavine was also informed that he would not need season ending surgery on his left shoulder. Furthermore, Chris Woodward's struggles continue at the plate and Jose Valentin made a pinch-hitting appearance.