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.