Game 141: Mets vs. Marlins @ Shea Stadium*

How sweet it is, how sweet it is. For the first time since 1988, the Mets are once again the champions of the National League East. In a season so reminiscent of 1986, the Mets finally got it done after being swept by the Pirates over the weekend. While the Phillies managed to keep winning, it left the Mets the opportunity to clinch in their own hands. Steve Trachsel, currently the longest tenured Met, would take the mound tonight and would put forth a stellar effort. Pitching six plus innings for his team-leading 15th win, Trachsel would get it done once more. However, it would be a relatively new Met who would do much of the damage tonight. Jose Valentin, continuing his great comeback season, would give the hyped fans at Shea something to cheer about in the third inning. With Shawn Green on base, Valentin would hit a lined shot over the right field wall to send the crowd into a frenzy. He would do the same in the bottom of the fifth to collect his 17th home run of the season and put the Mets up 3-0. Cliff Floyd would deliver the final Met run by hitting an rbi single to right field to score Carlos Beltran. Guillermo Mota and Aaron Heilman would pitch the seventh and eight innings, respectively. As they have done so many times this season, they kept the Marlins at bay by throwing scoreless inning. Then, Met shareholders everywhere began to sit at the edge of their seats. With just three more outs needed to take back the division from the rival Braves, Billy Wagner would come on to try and get the save. Wagner would quickly induce two fly balls outs to right field. Then, Josh Willingham would hit a fly ball to left field directly to Cliff Floyd. Bring on the champagne! Wagner and Paul Lo Duca would embrace each other in front of the mound and the party would begin. Floyd would jump in excitement as the entire Met team would celebrate on the field. The 2006 New York Mets had finally done it. Through hard-work, grit, determination and exciting baseball, they had clinched the National League East and are now on their way to the post-season. Here's to good luck, good baseball, and most of all a World Series Championship. Let's Go Mets!
Final Score: Mets 4, Marlins 0. Record: 88-53. Magic Number: 0 - National League East Champions!

Notes: Guillermo Mota has now lowered his e.r.a to .68. During the seventh inning, Pedro Martinez was shown wearing swimming goggles in preparation for the post-game champagne celebration. Carlos Delgado's career drought of not going to the playoffs came to an end tonight. He will relish his first playoff game since he entered the league in 1992. Acknowledging this fact, he smoked a cigar during the post game celebration. The Mets would come out to celebrate on the field once again after their clubhouse hysteria. Highlighted by David Wright celebrating with fans near the front row, the Mets definitely seemed to relish this opportunity to celebrate with their fans.

Game 143: Mets vs. Marlins @ Dolphin Stadium

Tonight was definitely one of those nights to forget for the New York Mets. Shotty defense and terrible pitching made it hard to stay in the game, even for their high powered offense. Dave Williams was hammered, giving up 9 runs, and Anibal Sanchez pitched a solid seven innings a week after his no-hitter. The lone bright spot for the Mets occurred when Cliff Floyd homered to deep right field in the second inning, ending speculation of his declining skills and lack of playing time. Furthermore, Carlos Beltran saluted those lost on September 11th by hitting his 40th home run of the season. It sure feels good to be able to play baseball in America.
Final score: Mets 5, Marlins 16. Record: 88-55. Magic Number:4.

Notes: Cody Ross homered three times tonight. Jose Reyes made his 14th error, joining Shawn Green as the other Mets starter to make a rare blunder in the field. Jose Valentin's streak of errorless games ended tonight as he earned his fifth error on a throw. Lastings Milledge doubled while pinch hitting and later scored on a Delgado single.

Game 142: Mets vs. Dodgers @ Shea Stadium

A day before the fifth anniversary of September 11th, the Mets looked to take the four game series from the L.A. Dodgers. Boy, did they fail miserable. It was a terrible game all around. The Mets couldn't buy a hit and the Dodgers couldn't afford an out. Steve Trachsel and Brian Bannister both failed to pitched well. The game was pretty much over after Kenny Lofton cleared the bases with a double in the top of the third inning. Nomar Garciaparra also had a big day at the plate with four rbi. The only highlight of the day for the Mets came on Jose Reyes' 19th home run of the season to left center field. Aside from that, the Mets are glad to have seen the last of the Dodgers during the regular season.
Final Score: 9-1. Record: 88-54. Magic Number: 4.

Notes: Prior to the game, Cliff Floyd had a meeting with Willie Randolph before being scratched from the lineup. The message was clear: "Play now or say hello to the bench in October." David Wright had a steller defensive stop early in the game. Jose Reyes' 19th home run drove in his 75th rbi of the season. Steve Trachsel pitched dreadfully once again to balloon his e.r.a. even higher over the 5 run threshold. Julio Franco was inserted into third base during the eighth inning. It was his first game there since he played third base on October 2, 1982. The ball immediately found Franco as he started a near double play by getting the force out at second. He also recorded the last out of the inning by throwing to second for the force once again. Shawn Green played first base and Anderson Hernandez played shortstop after the eighth inning. The Mets take on Anibal Sanchez tomorrow night (see Johnny Vander Meer).

Game 141: Mets vs. Dodgers @ Shea Stadium

Today's Saturday matinee would pit Orlando Hernandez against 300 game winner Greg Maddux. Both pitchers would start off strong in th first couple of innings. El Duque allowing only a leadoff double to Rafael Furcal and Maddux allowing consecutive hits to the Mets Carlos Delgado (a line drive home run to right - his 37th) and David Wright (a seeing eye single to right). Hernandez would then retire 15 consecutive batters before allowing two runs in the sixth inning. Jose Valentin would deliver a double in the bottom of the sixth and Beltran would be walked, ending Maddux's day. Brett Tomko would come on later in the inning and David Wright would come through with a two-out, two rbi single to put the Mets ahead 3-2. After stranding a few runners for a couple of innings, Billy Wagner would come on and make it interesting. However, he would strike out Olmedo Saenz for the second out and Kelly Stinnett would gun out the runner on first to end the game.
Final Score: Mets 3, Dodgers 2. Record: 88-53. Magic Number: 5.

Notes: Prior to today's game, Pedro Martinez threw a four inning simulated game. Kelly Stinnett got his first hit for the Mets since 1995. Jose Reyes was given an error on what was obviously a hit in the sixth inning. While being caught in a run down between third and home, Maddux would shove El Duque during the tag. It was probably in return for El Duque stopping in the middle of the baseline in order to make Maddux throw during a sac bunt earlier. Lastings Milledge would reach on a Jeff Kent error in the seventh inning and immediately get picked off.

Game 140: Mets vs. Dodgers @ Shea Stadium

After a short three game winning streak, it would be a different story for the Mets tonight. Taking on a rookie pitcher, the Mets looked lost at the plate through the first six innings. Held to only three hits by the opposing starter, Hong-Chih Kuo, it seemed as if they would hit into a double play whenever a rally started brewing. The Mets didn't hit the ball well until the bullpen doors opened in the seventh inning, and even those were outs. The Dodgers, on the other hand, continued to take on runs to take a 5-0 lead. John Maine would be ineffective tonight and would give up a few more home runs against the surprisingly powerful Dodgers. They also did not play particularly solid defense, enduring errors from David Wright and Shawn Green, another ingredient to their loss tonight. Great outing by the Dodger rookie - give credit where credit is due.
Final Score: Mets 0, Dodgers 5. Record: 87-53 Magic Number: 7.

Notes: Shawn Green had a few solid swings tonight. Tonight's loss would end the Mets 8 game winning streak in games that Maine has started. Heath Bell looked sharp in his relief innings. Exactly eight years ago to the day that Mark McGwire hit his 62nd home run of his record breaking season, Ryan Howard collected his 55th and 56th home runs of the season tonight.

Game 139: Mets vs. Dodgers @ Shea Stadium.

As much as everyone wants to believe that Carlos Beltran, Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols are the only MVP candidates in the National League, Jose Reyes begs to differ. Reyes would add another good game to what has already been a monster season for the Met leadoff hitter. However, it would be Carlos Beltran who would drive him in to start the scoring in the first inning. The run would bring their team record to a total of 122 first inning runs. David Wright would then hit a sac fly to center to score Beltran for his 107th rbi of the season. The second best comeback player of the year for the Mets, Jose Valentin, would hit his 15th home run to deep right field in the second. He would also drive in another run in the sixth inning on a fielder's choice. Then, when everything seemed to have calmed down, Jose Reyes would bring the excitement as only he knows how to bring it. Reyes would drive a ball to deep center field that would elude the Dodger center fielder. He would then sprint around the bases for his first career inside the park home-run. The three runs all but sealed the game for the Mets. Tom Glavine would get his 13th win and would lower his e.r.a. below 4. The win would be his first in over a month. Guillermo Mota, Roberto Hernandez and Aaron Heilman would all pitch scoreless innings to seal the win. Mets keep rolling.
Final Score: Mets 7, Dodgers 0. Record: 87-52. Magic Number: 7

Game 138: Mets vs. Braves @ Shea Stadium

The Mets already had already had one great day before the second game of today's double header got started. It only got better. Oliver Perez, coming off two consecutive poor outings pitched the game of his life. Holding the Braves to just five hits, he would go on to throw his second career shutout and would get his first win as a Met. Also, starting right where he left off in the first game, Shawn Green would collect another three hits and a home run. Jose Reyes would homer to start off the scoring, followed by an rbi single from Julio Franco. In the following inning, Chris Woodward would hit a two rbi double. The inning would be capped by Endy Chavez after his triple to center would drive in two more runs. The Mets would cruise to an 8-0 win and a sweep of the double header. They would prove resilient once again as they bounced back to take the series from the Braves. The Atlanta curse sure seems to be coming to a close.
Final Score: Mets 8, Braves 0. Record: 86-52. Magic Number: 9

Notes: Jose Reyes would hit yet another leadoff home run in the first inning. Carlos Beltran stole his 17th base in the first inning. Shawn Green hit his first two home runs as a met, his 12th and 13th. He has been lookin solid as of late. It was the first double header sweep of the Braves for the Mets since 1988. Florida Marlin rookie, Anibal Sanchez, threw a no hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight. It is the first no-hitter in the major leagues since Randy Johnson's perfect game in 2004.

Game 137: Mets vs. Braves @ Shea Stadium

In the first game of today's doubleheader, the Mets looked good. Dave Williams would throw six innings of one run ball for his fifth win of the season. Pedro Feliciano and Guillermo Mota would throw scoreless innings and Billy Wagner would record his 35th save of the season. Carlos Delgado would break the tie in the sixth inning with a two run home run to right field. However, Shawn Green would be the star today as he collected three hits, one being a home run to left in the eighth inning. He would also score the first Met run on a Jose Valentin double. Onto game two.
Final Score: Mets 4, Braves 1. Record: 85-52. Magic Number: 10.

Notes: Carlos Delgado would collect his 100th rbi of the season in the sixth inning. Dave Williams has been lighting in a bottle for the Mets. He is the third Met to do so this season.The Mets lead in the division stands at sixteen games.

Game 137: Mets vs. Braves @ Shea Stadium

Game rained out, will be made up in a double header tomorrow.

Game 136: Mets vs. Braves @ Shea Stadium

Steve Trachsel finally proved to be human by walking 7 batters to take the loss tonight. The Mets struggle with the bats, collecting only one hit against Chuck James and Macay McBride. Heath Bell looked good with a scoreless inning and Royce Ring threw up two zeros.
Final Score: Mets 0, Braves 5. Record: 84-52. Magic Number: 11.
Notes: Jose Reyes would rack up stolen base number 56 tonight. The Braves played stellar defense tonight and James had a couple of hits/runs scored. After the game, it was announced that Lastings Milledge, Dave Williams, Brian Bannister, Kelly Stinnett, Philip Humber and Ricky Ledee would all be added to the roster.

Game 135: Mets vs. Astros @ Minute Maid Park

Not Much to say today. El Duque pitched great tonight but Roy Oswalt pitched better. He had a no-hitter through seven innings until Jose Reyes chopped a single to short. He left the game with nine strikeouts and the bullpen closed it out for the win. The Mets only allowed one hit but lost the game. The go-ahead run was scored on a squeeze bunt by Adam Everett. Carlos Delgado would hit his 34th home run of the season in the ninth inning.
Final Score: Mets 1, Astros 2. Record: 84-51. Magic Number: 11

Notes: Jose Reyes' hit extended his hitting streak to ten games. Darren Oliver and Guillermo Mota pitched scoreless innings once again. It was only the third Met loss in their last 16 games.

Game 134: Mets vs. Astros @ Minute Maid Park

For a few minutes on Saturday night, Met fans across the country held their breaths. Not only on the long drive by Lance Berkman, but more so on the apparent injury to Carlos Beltran. Down two runs with their best hitter and winning run at the plate, the Astros would try to manage a win against two of their former players - Carlos Beltran and Billy Wagner. Lance Berkman came as close as you can come to a walkoff win with a deep drive to left. For the past twenty years, it was a ball that easily clears the fence for an opposing walkoff home run if you're a Met fan. However, things would be different on this night. Carlos Beltran would put on his best Spider Man impersonation with a sensational game-saving catch that had him slamming against the chain link fence in left center field. Although many feared a possible injury, he would be listed as day to day after the game. Billy Wagner would wrap it up for his 34th save of the season and the Mets would pull off yet another close win. John Maine would be the starter for the Mets tonight and would go on to pitch six plus innings for his fifth straigh win. The Mets scored their first runs in the first when Paul Lo Duca would score on a David Wright fielder's choice. Cliff Floyd, in his first game back from the D.L., would add a sac fly to center to score Beltran. Lance Berkman would promptly answer back for the Astros with a home run to deep left field. The Mets would then capitalize on Houston's mistakes that resulted in Beltran scoring a run on a wild pitch. Floyd would add an rbi double in the ninth inning to score David Wright. Billy Wagner would make it interesting in the ninth and Beltran would make it suspenseful. His breathtaking catch would add yet another bullet point to an already impressive MVP caliber season. Yet, if he doesn't win the award, one thing will certainly be clear: Beltran's decision to leave Houston was definitely the right one. Maybe he likes to be booed after all.
Final Score: Mets 4, Astros 2. Record: 84-50. Magic Number: 12

Notes: Jose Reyes was given the day off. Jose Valentin would steal his sixth base of the season and David Wright would be caught for the fifth time. Cliff Floyd looked good swinging the bat in his first game back. With his single in the fourth inning, Lo Duca extended his hitting streak to twelve games. Mike Lamb would hit a home run to the upper deck in right field. The Mets division lead is now a season high 16.5 games. PSU: 1-0.

Game 133: Mets vs. Astros @ Minute Maid Park

Tom Glavine is one of the classier men the game of baseball has ever seen. Tonight was one of the very few nights when a spotlight over a certain individual is allowed in what is widely regarded as a team sport. That spotlight, however, would not last long. Although it is a great thing for Met fans to have their second man in the rotation back, it would not overshadow the possible playoff showdown against the rival Astros. Carlos Beltran would also feed off that spotlight shared with Glavine as he would be booed during the first out the Astros made (on a liner to center). Carlos Delgado and Shawn Green would spark a rally during the second and Endy Chavez would drive them in on a single to the shortstop. Chavez would advance on a throwing error but would be stranded to end the inning. Beltran would quiet the boo birds once more during the third inning as he would hit a double to left. Delgado would follow with an rbi single to center field. Glavine would then allow five runs in the fifth inning by walking in a run, allowing a single and throwing a wild pitch. The Astros would add another run in the sixth and that would allow them their big innings to take the lead. Nonetheless, the Mets would battle back in the fifth inning by scoring three runs which would be highlighted by David Wright's bases clearing double. The Astros would tie the game immediately in their half inning on a sac fly by Jason Lane. With the scored tied at six in the eighth inning, Jose Valentin would come through as he has so many times this season. He would hit a double down the line to plate the go ahead run in David Wright who had stolen third base just moments before. The bullpen would then pitch 4 innings, with Billy Wagner allowing the lone run. Guillermo Mota would pitch the seventh inning to collect the win and add yet another positive to an impressive Met resume.
Final Score: Mets 8, Astros 7. Mets Record: 83-50. Magic Number: 14.

Notes: Willie Randolph said Cliff Floyd would join the team tomorrow night. Paul Lo Duca extended his hitting streak to 11 games with his double in the fifth inning. The Mets extended their division lead to 16 games, a season high.