Happy Recap: Mets 9 Nationals 7

This bullpen makes sure there is no such thing as an easy victory. The offense is going to have to keep putting up these huge numbers because the relievers can't hold a lead.

This time there isn't much to blame on Jerry Manuel. Even though he used 8 pitchers his hand was forced in most of those situations. He couldn't leave Brandon Knight in for another inning, he's just not ready go to that long. He showed remarkable restraint not to yank Rincon and Stokes because they were both terrible. And Aaron Heilman made only his 3rd appearance in 14 September games, allowing hits to the first 2 batters he faced.

I even agree with pulling Schoeneweis after he got 2 quick outs, because Joe Smith has been so good lately. Smith hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 13 2/3 innings over 18 appearances. And leaving Smith for the 9th was exactly the correct move, but it didn't work out because of Wright's error, and Smith's walk.



And those mistakes were compounded by the eminently hittable Pedro Feliciano who got two outs before he allowed the hit that drove in 2 runs and put the tying run up to bat.

Thankfully Luis Ayala shut the door or the Mets would have been the Mets would have lost their second game after holding a 7-1 lead.



Thank god the offense finally woke up, the Mets needed every run they could get.

Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado got the evening off to a great start with solo homers in the first, once again the Mets scoring runs in the first inning and going on to win the game.

I was a little worried about Delgado because over the past few games I've seen him jump at balls and tap them to the right side again, but I'm glad to see he isn't falling back into his bad habits.



Carlos Beltran is awesome, I don't care what anyone says. He takes more criticism than any other Met (because of his contract) but he's a really great player. He does everything well and contributes with his bat (two homers) and his glove (turned a double play and went back gracefully to catch Zimmerman's ball that could have been disaster).



Once again the Mets are relying on Johan Santana to pitch them to a victory. Jerry Manuel is counting on him for "Hopefully nine innings, 170 pitches."

Unhappy Recap: Cardinals 10 Mets 8

The starting pitching was bad, the relief pitchers allowed 4 runs in one inning and eventually lost the game and the Mets couldn't get a hit with runners in scoring position. This game had all the trappings of an early-season frustration, but there was actually a lot to get excited about here.

Brandon Knight didn't pitch well. But I think nerves were clearly a major factor in the first inning which was compounded by the highly unusual occurrence of Endy Chavez misplaying a flyball. After that Knight settled down and pitched four good innings.



The key to the Mets comeback was getting 2 runs right back in the bottom of the first. The key was Endy Chavez's triple which was the only hit with runners in scoring position in the entire game. After that the Mets went 15 at bats without a hit.



Obviously, another huge game for Carlos Delgado. I think the key to his recent success is that he is laying off bad pitches early in the count. That allows him to get ahead and focus on getting his pitch. Both his homers were hit off pitches down, but in the strike zone. In the 8th, he struck out with a man on second and two outs, in the 10th he grounded into a double play with first and second and one out and in those at bats Cardinals pitchers started to hammer him in, then got him to chase away.

How awesome is Fernando Tatis? Nothing this guy does amazes me anymore. He has gotten so many huge hits and I really thought his homer to tie this one in the 9th would lead to a Mets victory.



But my favorite development of this game was that the pitchers were leaning over the dugout rail with their caps inside out. Something has materially changed about this team and I love it. They're having fun, they're playing better and they think they can win every game, no matter how far behind they are. There is a definite link between the emergence of this new attitude and the team's newfound success, this game notwithstanding.



I don't blame Aaron Heilman for the loss, stretching him for a third inning was an unfortunate consequence of some circumstances from earlier in the game. Also, I'm glad he lost on a home run to Pujols instead of a walk and a bleeder by pitching around hitters.

Losses happens but the attitude they showed in this game is going to lead to a lot more wins.