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.