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.