Unhappy Recap: Astros 2 Mets 1

A very interesting game that was a fascinating pitcher's duel.
El Duque allowed only one hit in 5 1/3 innings, and the Mets bullpen allowed zero hits in 2 2/3 innings but the Mets lost despite pitching a 1-hitter. The last time that happened was almost exactly 15 years ago.

El Duque pitched out of trouble a couple times including the second inning when he allowed the only hit (to Aubrey Huff) plus two walks, but still managed to allow no runs.
The magic ended for him in the 6th inning. With one out he walked the next two batters and hit a third man to load the bases. That was the end of the day for him.
Roberto Hernandez came on in relief and the first batter perfectly executed a suicide squeeze to give the Astros a 1-0 lead. They walked the next man to load the bases for the pitcher Oswalt. He hit a slow grounder
for an out but the Mets caught a break there as replays cleared showed that he had beaten it out.

The Astros tacked on another run in the 7th when Tavares, walked, stole second, went to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a sacrifice fly. That is the kind of run Reyes usually scores.

In the top of the 7th Reyes got the first hit off Oswalt on a weak grounder to short. Oswalt had been pitching a perfect game up until that point.
Then he came up again in the 8th inning with a chance to be the hero. Valentin had singled, and Tucker doubled creating second and third. The Astros replaced Oswalt with Chad Qualls and Reyes grounded out.

Carlos Delgado broke up the shutout with a home run to left field in the 9th inning off Brad Lidge.

Carlos Beltran may be ready to play as soon as Monday.