Built from Within: A New York Mets dynasty

[tejdog1]

Game 63: Angels @ Mets

John Lackey (6-3, 2.68) vs Scott Kazmir (5-4, 3.84)

Chone Figgins led off with a solo homer in the 1st inning, instantly putting the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, California, West Coast, USA, Earth ahead 1-0. Jose Reyes led off the bottom of the inning with a walk, stole second, moved to third on an error by Lackey on Jeff Keppinger's hit, and scored on Carlos Beltran's single. Beltran was thrown out trying to steal second, short circuiting hopes for a bigger inning.

"Aggresive play should never be thought of as a negative." Tejesh said.

Lackey and Kazmir matched zeroes for the next 6 innings, until Kazmir cracked in the 8th. A leadoff double by Tony Womack spelled trouble. The Angels played perfect fundamental baseball after that. John Lackey bunted him to third, and Chone Figgins lifted a sac fly to give the Angels a 2-1 lead.

Scott Kazmir ended up going 8 1/3 innings, surrendering 3 runs, and the Mets rallied in the 9th to pull within 1, but Jose Reyes grounded out with the tying run on 3rd.

"I really misused my staff in the 8th and 9th innings. I did a horrible job managing." Tejesh said after the game.

[tejdog1]

Game 64: Mets @ Athletics

Aaron Heilman (6-3, 5.12) vs Danny Haren (6-3, 3.54)

The Mets got off to a quick start in the 1st inning. Jose Reyes led off with a double and stole third, scoring on Carlos Beltran's 1 out double, giving the Mets an instant 1-0 lead.

In the 3rd, Jose Reyes walked, stole 2nd and 3rd, and scored on Paul Lo Duca's single, making it 2-0.

"Maybe once, when the division is wrapped up, hopefully with us on top, we'll let Jose try stealing home." Tejesh said, smiling.

Aaron Heilman was mowing down the A's in easily his best start of his career, but in the 9th, with one out, Milton Bradley singled, stole second, and scored on Bobby Crosby's homer, tying the game at 2. Heilman then allowed a 2 out single to Antonio Perez, ending his night. Tanyon Sturtze came on to get the final out of the inning.

"God you feel for Aaron. An absoulte gem of a start and he gets a no decision." Tejesh said.

Sturtze went 2 1/3 innings in relief, and the Mets grabbed a 3-2 lead in the top of the 12 inning. Ramon Castro and Jose Reyes singled to start it, Lo Duca was hit by a pitch, and a Beltran single gave the Mets the 3-2 lead. Billy Wagner came on to try and save it, but he put the first two men on, and Tejesh quick hooked him.

"He didn't look good out there." Tejesh said. Henry Owens came on to try and nail it down. The tying run got to third with one out, but Owens induced a strike out and double play, ending the game.

"Wagner is my closer." Tejesh reiterated. "No one else. Wagner is the closer."

The Mets won, 3-2.

[tejdog1]

Game 65: Mets @ A's

I had the recap typed up, but I accidently clicked out of the window Sorry, the box is all you get

[tejdog1]

Game 66: Mets @ A's

Tom Glavine (5-2, 3.68) vs Joe Blanton (0-6, 6.07)

The Mets broke a scoreless tie in the 3rd inning, going doubles crazy. Jose Valentin, Paul Lo Duca and Jose Reyes each hit a double to begin the parade, scoring two runs. Jeff Keppinger, DHing today, grounded out to move Reyes to third, before Carlos Beltran doubled Reyes home, making it 3-0. Marco Scutaro hit a double of his own leading off the bottom of the 3rd, and the A's small balled him around, making it 3-1.

Nick Swisher's 2 out solo shot in the bottom of the 4th pulled the A's within 1, at 3-2.

Tom Glavine went 7 strong innings, only giving up those 2 runs, and Billy Wagner came on for a 2 inning save. However, an error by David Wright spelled doom in the 9th for the Mets. Marco Scutaro singled with one out, and Wright commited an error on Antonio Perez' ball, putting runners on first and second. Jason Kendall walked to load the bases, and Mark Kotsay singled to give the As a 4-3 win.

"Wagner will be the closer. Always." Tejesh said after the game. "A closer is supposed to close, not be brought in, give up two baserunners, and have someone come in a clean up his mess. He is supposed to clean up people's messes."

[cruecu]

how is phillip hughes pitching already for the yanks? i know the computer wouldn't bring him up from AA in season one..and that trade: Orlando Hernandez and Xavier Nady were traded to the New York Yankees for RP Octavio Dotel, A C Jesus Montero and AAA OF Jose Tabata....as a Yankee fan, let me just say, hahahahahahahahahaha...yeah right, like Cashmoney would ever do that...you gotta love video games

[tejdog1]

Game 67: Mets @ Mariners

Steve Trachsel (8-2, 2.45) vs Felix Hernandez (5-2, 2.64)

The Mets struck first, scoring 3 runs in the 4th inning. Carlos Beltran was hit by a pitch, and David Wright walked, putting the first two men on base. Cliff Floyd doubled home a run, and Jose Valentin hit a 2 out single, scoring a pair, making it 3-0 Mets. They added a single run in the 5th. Paul Lo Duca singled with one out, and Carlos Delgado and David Wright followed with 2 out singled, Wright's single scoring Lo Duca and making it 4-0.

The Mariners got closer in the bottom of the 7th. With two down, Jeremy Reed singled and Y. Betancourt homers, cutting the Met lead in half.

Steve Trachsel went 7 innings, and Henry Owens pitched a scoreless 8th. Billy Wagner pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning, earning the save, his 11th of the season.

[tejdog1]

Game 68: Mets @ Mariners

Scott Kazmir (5-5, 3.78) vs Jamie Moyer (4-7, 4.09)

The Mets got on the board first, Jose Reyes singled, stole second, and scored on Carlos Delgado's one out single, givng the Mets an instant 1-0 lead. A one out triple by Jeremy Reed and a sac fly by Deivi Cruz tied the game in the 2nd inning.

The Mariners got 3 in the 3rd off Kazmir. Eddie Perez singled to lead off, and with one out, Adrian Beltre tripled Perez home. Rual Ibanez followed with a 2 run homer, making it 4-1, Mariners. Richie Sexson led off the bottom of the 5th with a solo shot, extending the lead to 5-1.

Kazmir was pulled after 6, and Jonathan Broxton came on. Broxton pitched two scoreless innings, but the Mets couldnt get a timely hit in the 8th inning with the bases loaded and 1 out, and lost, 5-1.

[tejdog1]

Game 69: Mets @ Mariners

Aaron Heilman (6-3, 4.68) vs Joel Pineiro (9-1, 2.44)

Kenji Johjima tripled with one out, and Richie Sexson singled him in with two out, giving the Mariners a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning. A leadoff solo shot by Jose Reyes in the 4th inning tied it for the Mets.

The Mets took a 2-1 lead in the 5th, as David Wright and Cliff Floyd singled to lead it off. it looked like Pineiro would get out of the jam, he induced a pop up from Victor Diaz and struck out Jose Valentin, but a 2 out double by Ramon Castro scored Wright.

The Mets extender their lead in the 6th inning. Paul Lo Duca led off with a double, moved to third on Carlos Beltran's grounder, and scored on Cliff Floyd's two out single. Richie Sexson was injured on Beltran's grounder, and had to leave the game.

The Mets scored 2 in the 7th, to make it 5-1. Jose Valentin singled to lead off, and scored on Paul Lo Duca's 2 out 2 run homer. The Mariners came back with a single run off Heilman in the bottom of the inning. Ichiro Suzuki walked with 2 out, and Johjima hit his second triple of the game, scoring Suzuki and making it 5-2.

Heilman was allowed to start the 8th inning, but with runners on the corners and 1 out, Octavio Dotel came on. Dotel did nothing to calm the fire, he poured gasoline on the rally. Jose Lopez and Jeremy Reed hit back to back doubles to tie the game at 5, and Yuniesky Betancourt lifted a sac fly to give the Mariners a 6-5 lead. The Mets got 3 baserunners in the 9th, but couldn't push across the tying run, losing 6-5.

"Octavio Dotel has to do a better job then that." Tejesh said.

[tejdog1]

Game 70: Mets @ Phillies

Pedro Martinez (8-2, 3.64) vs Jon Lieber (6-4, 2.54)

The Phillies got 3 in the 2nd, breaking a scoreless tie. Chase Utley and Pat Burrell singled to start the inning, and with one out, Mike Liberthal singled to drive a run in. Abraham Nunez singled in another run, and Bobby Abreu reached on a Carlos Delgado error, to drive in the 3rd run of the inning.

The Mets got one of those runs back in the 4th. Paul Lo Duca led off with a single, and advanced to third on groundouts by Carlos Beltran and Delgado. David Wright singled Lo Duca in, to make it 3-1. Paul Lo Duca brought the Mets within one with a 1 out solo shot in the top of the 6th inning.

Pedro Martinez went 7 innings allowing 3 runs, and Jeff Keppinger pinch hit for him in the top of the 8th. Keppinger walked, and Endy Chavez pinch run for him. Chavez stole second, but Reyes and Lo Duca failled to drive him in, and the Mets lost, 3-2.

[tejdog1]

Game 71: Mets @ Phillies

Tom Glavine (5-2, 3.60) vs Randy Wolf (7-4, 3.06)

The Mets look to halt their first 3 game losing streak of the season in the middle game of 3 in Philly. They got off to a good start, scoring 3 in the first. Jose Reyes walked and stole 2 bases, scoring on Paul Lo Duca's grounder. Carlos Delgado hit a two out single and scored on David Wright's 2 run homer.

The Phillies got a run back in the 2nd. Chase Utley led off with a single, and scored on Met Killer Pat Burrell's double, making it 3-1.

The Mets got that run back in the 5th. Jeff Keppinger singled with one out, moved to second on Glavine's sac bunt, and scored on Jose Reyes' single, to make it 4-1.

Glavine went 8 innings allowing 2 runs, and Billy Wagner came on to pitch a 1-2-double-3 inning, to give the Mets a 4-2 win.

[tejdog1]

Game 72: Mets @ Phillies

Steve Trachsel (9-2, 2.46) vs Gavin Floyd (3-4, 4.43)

The Mets broke a scoreless tie in the 4th with 2 runs. With two down, Carlos Delgado walked and David Wright doubled, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd. Cliff Floyd singled the pair in, giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.

They extended their lead in the 6th inning. Carlos Beltran singled and stole 2nd with 2 out. Delgado walked and Wright launched a 3 run shot to give the Mets breathing room, at 5-0. That homer chased Gavin Floyd, and Steve Sparks, the veteran knuckleballer, came in to relieve Floyd.

The Mets iced the game with a 5 run 8th inning. Cliff Floyd singled with one out, and Victor Diaz walked. After a Jose Valentin strike out, Trachsel reached on an error by third baseman Abraham Nunez, loading the bases. Jose Reyes singled one in, and Paul Lo Duca cleared the bases with a double, making it 9-0. Scott Mathieson came on to relieve Sparks, and allowed an RBI single by Carlos Beltran to conclude the barrage and make it 10-0.

With the big lead, Luke Hudson came on to relieve Trachsel in the bottom of the 8th. Hudson struck out the side in the 8th, and David Wright added a solo homer in the 9th, capping the scoring. Hudson worked around a runners on the corners no out jam, and the Mets cruised to an 11-0 lead.

[nittanylionfan3]

Seven guys with over .300 batting average, whoa, that is good.

[tejdog1]

Before Game 73, the Mets made a few minor cuts, releasing AAA RP Juan Perez, AA SP Willie Collazo and AAA 1B Jose Offerman.

"Just getting rid of some of the dead weight." Tejesh said.

Game 73: Mets @ Yankees

Scott Kazmir (5-6, 4.03) vs Jaret Wright (4-2, 2.15)

The Mets broke a scoreless tie in the top of the 4th, plating 2 runs. Carlos Beltran singled to lead off the inning and stole second. David Wright drew a 1 out walk and Cliff Floyd flew out, advancing Beltran to 3rd. Victor Diaz singled to score Beltran, and Jose Valentin doubled to score Wright.

In the 5th, Jose Reyes walked and stole two bases, and scored on Carlos Delgado's two out single, making it 3-0, Mets. They tacked on a run in the 6th inning. Diaz led off with a double, and after Jose Valentin struck out, Aaron Small came in to relieve Jaret Wright. Ramon Castro greeted Small with a single, scoring Diaz and making it 4-0.

The Mets added 2 insurance runs in the 9th. Lo Duca walked with two down, and Beltran homered, to make it 6-0. Scott Kazmir went the distance on a 4 hit shutout, and the Mets won, 6-0.

[tejdog1]

Seven guys with over .300 batting average, whoa, that is good.

I did some minor editing on UR 7.0, tweaking the Mets a bit, but not like...cheating, lol. David Wright is on a really hot streak right now, he was hitting around .250 "2 or so weeks ago".

It's a double edged sword, because I want to get Keppinger into the lineup everyday, but I can't trade Valentin, lol.

[tejdog1]

Game 74: Mets @ Yankees

Aaron Heilman (6-3, 4.70) vs Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez (6-3, 4.12)

These two square off for Round 2. Heilman bested El Duque in Round 1 @ Shea, Round 2 is @ Yankee Stadium. The Mets are resting Paul Lo Duca and Victor Diaz, today. Jose Valentin is the DH, Jeff Keppinger bats 2nd and plays 2nd, and Endy Chavez plays RF and hits 7th.

The Mets scored 4 in the 2nd and chased El Duque. David Wright led off the inning with a solo shot, Cliff Floyd doubled, and with one down, Jose Valentin doubled. Ramon Castro homered, chasing El Duque. Jose Lima came on to relieve El Duque and got the final two outs of the inning.

Heilman allowed a leadoff homer to Jason Giambi in the bottom of the 2nd, but then retired the next three, preserving a 4-1 lead. The Mets added 2 runs in the top of the 3rd. Carlos Beltran walked and stole second leading off. With one down, David Wright doubled, plating Beltran. With two down, Endy Chavez walked and Valentin singled Wright in, making it 6-1.

The Mets added a run in the top of the 5th on 4 consecutive walks to Delgado, Wright, Floyd and Chavez. The Mets, however, could not deliever the haymaker, and scored no more runs against Shawn Chacon.

Jeff Keppinger led off the 6th with a homer, to make it 8-1. Alex Rodriguez got that run back with a lead off homer in the 7th to make it 8-2. Heilman went 7 strong innings, and Jonathan Broxton came on to finish up.

Broxton, however, allowed 3 runs on 4 hits in 2/3 of an inning. Henry Owens came on to get Robinson Cano with the tying runs on base.

Billy Wagner came on to get the save, and the Mets won 8-5.

"Broxton took a step back today, that's for sure, but he's been doing a fabulous job as of late for us. Everyone, pitchers and hitters, alike, have days like this. He'll bounce back." Tejesh said. "We needed to get work for the back end of the pen anyway."

[tejdog1]

Game 75: Mets @ Yankees

Pedro Martinez (8-3, 3.55) vs Carl Pavano (4-4, 4.04)

The Mets look to sweep the Yankees at Yankee Stadium for the first time ever, since Interleague Play started in 1997, and they send their ace to the mound to accomplish the task.

Jose Reyes singled, stole 2 bases, and scored on Carlos Delgado's two out double to put the Mets ahead 1-0. Derek Jeter doubled, stole 3rd and scored on Johnny Damon's groundout, tying the game 1-1, after 1.

Jorge Posada hit a 2 out solo shot in the 4th to give the Yankees their first lead of the series, 2-1. Johnny Damon and Gary Sheffield went back to back in the 5th with 2 down to extend the Yankee lead to 4-1.

In the top of the 6th, Carlos Delgado drew a one out walk, David Wright and Cliff Floyd followed with singles to load the bases, and Victor Diaz hit a grand slam, to put the Mets in front, 5-4. Phillip Hughes came on to replace Pavano and ended the inning without any further damage.

The Mets chased Hughes an inning later. Jose Reyes singled to lead off the 7th and stole 2nd. Lo Duca walked, and with one down, Delgado doubled Reyes in and put runners on second and third. Wright grounded out to produce the second run of the inning, and Cliff Floyd singled to drive in Delgado and chase Hughes. Aaron Small came on to retire the next two and prevent futher damage, but the Mets led 8-4.

Pedro went 8 2/3, and with 2 out and 2 on, Billy Wagner came on and got Gary Sheffield, to preserve the come from behind victory, allowing the Mets to celebrate their first ever sweep of the Yankees on the Yankees home turf.

[tejdog1]

Before Game 76, the Mets made a trade with the Florida Marlins, trading AAA SP John Maine, A SP Jorge Reyes to the Marlins for AA SP Gaby Hernandez, A SP Chris Volstad and 3B Mike Kinkade

"We just had to clear up the logjam of starters we had in Norfolk. We have a logjam in Binghamton now, and we'll be on the lookout for a deal we can do to clear pitchers there." Tejesh said.

Game 76: Phillies @ Mets

Randy Wolf (7-5, 3.27) vs Tom Glavine (6-2, 3.50)

The Phillies got on the board first in the 2nd inning. Chase Utley led off with a single, and Sal Fasano singled with one out, putting runners on the corners. Mike Lieberthal hit a sac fly to make it 1-0. Abraham Nunez and Randy Wolf singled to load the bases, and a Jimmy Rollins single plated the second run of the inning. Aaron Rowand struck out swinging to end the inning, and the Phillies had a 2-0 lead.

The Mets got a run back in the 3rd. Tom Glavine led off with a walk, Jose Reyes grounded out, advancing him to second, and Paul Lo Duca flew out, advancing Glavine to third. Carlos Beltran singled him in, to cut the Phillie lead in half, at 2-1.

In the 4th, Jimmy Rollins tripled with one out and scored on Aaron Rowand's groundout, to get that run right back and make it 3-1, Phillies. The Phillies added a run in the 7th inning. Rollings led off with a single and scored on Rowand's double, making it 4-1.

The Mets got 2 back in the bottom of the inning. Cliff Floyd singled to lead off, and with one out, Jeff Keppinger doubled to put two in scoring position. Eli Marrero, pinch hitting for Glavine, walked to load the bases. Jose Reyes' sac fly plated one run, and Lo Duca's single plated another run, to cut the deficit to 4-3. Henry Owens came on for Glavine, to pitch the 8th.

Owens pitched 2 scoreless innings, and the Mets came up in the 9th down a run, with 8-9-1 due up. Keppinger struck out, and Jose Valentin pinch hit for Owens and drew a walk. Endy Chavez pinch ran for Valentin and stole 2 bases. Reyes squeezed Chavez in to tie the game at 4.

Tanyon Sturtze came on to pitch the 10th, and despite getting into jams, he got out of jams, and pitched 3 scoreless innings, and the Mets pushed a run across in the 12th. With one out, Wright and Floyd drew back to back walks, and Diaz singled to drive Wright in with the winning run.

"Sturtze did give me cause for concern, but he bulldogged his way through mess after mess, and our offense delievered." Tejesh said.

[tejdog1]

Game 77: Phillies @ Mets

Gavin Floyd (3-5, 4.71) vs Steve Trachsel (10-2, 2.29)

For a change, the Mets decided to take the early lead with 3 in the first. Jose Reyes singled and stole 2 bases. Paul Lo Duca walked, and Carlos Beltran singled Reyes in. Carlos Delgado flew out, advancing the runners to 2nd and 3rd, and David Wright singled them in, making it 3-0 Mets.

The Mets added a run in the 4th. Victor Diaz led off by reaching on a Chase Utley error, and Jose Valentin walked. A failed sac bunt by Trachsel was the first out of the inning, but Reyes bailed Trachsel out, singling to drive Diaz in. Reyes stole second, but the Mets could not push across another run, and settled for a 4-0 lead.

The Mets poured it on in the 5th, with 3 more runs. Wright singled with one down, and Cliff Floyd followed with a 2 run shot. Valentin, Trachsel and Reyes followed with 2 out singles, to push the third run across and make it 7-0 Mets, and chasing Gavin Floyd. Ryan Franklin came on to settle things down.

The Phillies chipped 2 off the board in the 6th, to draw within 5, at 7-2. Trachsel went 7, and Octavio Dotel, who has not touched a baseball in over a week, came on.

"I need to do a better job of getting my back end guys more work." Tejesh said. Dotel, showing some rust, allowed 2 hits and a run in the 9th, but nailed down the victory.

[nittanylionfan3]

I did some minor editing on UR 7.0, tweaking the Mets a bit, but not like...cheating, lol. David Wright is on a really hot streak right now, he was hitting around .250 "2 or so weeks ago".

It's a double edged sword, because I want to get Keppinger into the lineup everyday, but I can't trade Valentin, lol.

I wish I was that good. :lol:

[tejdog1]

Game 78: Phillies @ Mets

Brett Myers (4-7, 4.46) vs Scott Kazmir (6-6, 3.67)

Jose Valentin's 1 out homer in the 1st put the Mets ahead 1-0, getting them off on the right foot as they looked for their 8th straight win. The Mets extended their lead to 4-0 in the 2nd inning. David Wright walked leading off, and moved to third on Cliff Floyd's single. Victor Diaz was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Ramon Castro hit a 2 run single, and Scott Kazmir aqueezed home a run to cap the scoring.

The Mets scored 3 more in the 5th. Carlos Beltran walked and stole 2 bases, scoring on Carlos Delgado's single. Cliff Floyd was hit by a pitch with one out, and Myers was ejected. Ryan Franklin came on and gave up a single to Diaz to load the bases. Ramon Castro walked to force in a run and Kazmir delievered his second squeeze of the game, to make it 7-0.

A leadoff homer by Aaron Rowand in the 7th cut the Met lead to 7-1, but the Phillies never really threatened. Kazmir went the distance for his second straight start, faltering in the 9th, but only giving up 2 runs, and the Mets won, 7-3.

[tejdog1]

Game 79: Marlins @ Mets

Anibal Sanchez (3-2, 3.82) vs Aaron Heilman (7-3, 4.5)

The Marlins got a run in the 1st after 2 were down and no one on. Miguel Cabrera singled, Mike Jacobs doubled, and Wes Helms singled to give the Marlins a 1-0 lead.

The Mets answered with a 5 spot in their half of the first. Paul Lo Duca walked with one down, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado singled, driving Lo Duca in and Beltran to third. David Wright flew out to score Beltran. Cliff Floyd singled and Victor Diaz walked to load the bases. Jeff Keppinger walked to force in a run, and then Heilman doubled two in. Jose Reyes, up for the second time in the inning, grounded out.

The Mets added a solo run in the 2nd and chased Sanchez. Lo Duca singled and Beltran doubled, putting runners on the corners with no out. David Wright singled to drive in Lo Duca, and Brian Moehler came on for Anibal Sanchez. Moehler got Floyd and Diaz without any further damage, and after 2, it was 6-1 Mets.

The Mets added a run on 2 hits and 2 errors in the 5th, making it 7-1. Hanley Ramirez led off the 6th with a homer to get that run back, making it 7-2. The Mets poured it on, scoring 5 runs in the 8th inning to make it 12-2. Billy Wagner came on to get an inning of work in the 9th, and went through the side 1-2-3.

[tejdog1]

Game 80: Marlins @ Mets

Josh Johnson (1-6, 4.91) vs Pedro Martinez (9-3, 3.61)

The Mets got on top first in the 4th inning. Paul Lo Duca was hit by a pitch and Carlos Beltran hit a 2 run bomb, putting New York ahead 2-0.

Johnson and Martinez settled into a pitcher's duel, and Johnson left after 5 2/3, and former Met farmhand Yusmiero Petit came on to get the final out of the 6th inning. Pedro Martinez went 7, and Endy Chavez pinch hit for him in the bottom of the 7th.

Octavio Dotel, however, gave up solo home runs to Miguel Olivo and Miguel Cabrera in the 8th, tying the game 2-2. Dotel pitched around a single in the 9th, and the Mets failed to capitalize on a leadoff pinch hit single by Jeff Keppinger, so the game went to extra innings. Tanyon Sturtze came on to pitch the 10th.

Sturtze gave up 3 runs in the top of the 11th inning, putting the Marlins ahead 5-2. Miguel Cabrera and Wes Helms walked, with a Mike Jacobs out in between. Jason Stokes doubled to score Cabrera, and put two more in scoring position. Jeremy Hermida reached on a Delgado error, allowing another run to score. Dan Uggla hit a sac fly to score Stokes and make it 5-2.

The Mets answered right back in the bottom of the 11th with 4 runs to win it. Victor Diaz singled to start the rally, and Jose Valentin walked. Julio Franco flew out, allowing Diaz to advance to third. Jose Reyes walked, and Lo Duca singled home a pair. Beltran struck out for the second out, but Delgado was hit by a pitch, and David Wright came through with a 2 run single, giving the Mets a thrilling 6-5, 11 inning victory.

"Tanyon Sturtze cannot be walking people like that. And Dotel needs to get back on track. But they're pitchers, they go through slumps, too. We'll nurse them through it. And, as the saying goes, when you win, all sins are forgiven. David Wright is really one of those players who always delievers in the clutch. And that might be the biggest hit he's had all season. Tremendous win." Tejesh said.

[tejdog1]

Game 81: Marlins @ Mets

Dontrelle Willis (6-6, 3.02) vs Tom Glavine (6-2, 3.60)

The Mets end the first half of the season today, facing the best the Marlins have to offer, Dontrelle Willis. The Mets resting Jose Reyes and Victor Diaz, and using Jeff Keppinger at the second baseman versus lefties, go up there with a different looking lineup. Carlos Beltran leads off, Keppinger bats second, followed by David Wright, Carlos Delgado, Paul Lo Duca, Cliff Floyd, Eli Marrero and Chris Woodward.

The Mets scored a run on 2 errors in the bottom of the first. Wright reached on an error by left fielder Jeremy Hermida, Delgado singled, advancing Wright to 3rd, and Lo Duca reached on an error by third baseman, allowing Wright to score and making it 1-0, Mets.

The Marlins got 2 runs in the 7th, to break on top, 2-1. Wes Helms doubled leading off, and Reggie Abercrombie singled, putting runners on the corners with no out. Jeremy Hermida grounded out to produce the tying run, and Dan Uggla singled to produce the go ahead run.

Glavine pitched 7 innings, and Henry Owens came on to relieve him in the 8th. Owens pitched 2 scoreless innings, but the Mets could not push a run across, and had their 10 game winning streak snapped, 2-1. The Mets end the first half at 55-26, the Marlins are 34-47

[tejdog1]

I will be taking a break from this dynasty for a day or two, and then I'll post my first half recap, including stats from the minors and majors. Stay tuned for the First Half in Review.

[tejdog1]

"I've been locating all my pitches very well during the first half. I hope to come close to doing this well in the second half, as we prepare for the push." Trachsel said.

Jose Valentin (.342/12/51) kept Jeff Keppinger in Norfolk until early June, when it was clear Keppinger would not benefit from further time in the minor leagues.

"What, were we supposed to let him go for .500 in Norfolk?" Tejesh asked. Since his call up, Keppinger has played in both corner outfield positions, and second base.

"We need to find him at bats. Somehow, someway, we need to juggle 4 infielders and 4 outfielders for 6 spots." Tejesh said. He rejected the idea of a 7 man platoon for those 6 spots.

"That's a good way to disrupt players. Keppinger can play short, third and second, as well as all 3 outfield positions. For this year, we can use him as a roving body. Next season, he will be manning second base."

"I do what they tell me to. I play where they want. It's tough, you bet it is, sitting on the bench and not getting everyday playing time, but I consider it a compliment that Tejesh wanted me up here. He could've left me in Norfolk." Keppinger said.

"I'm just taking advantage of this opportunity Tejesh and the Mets gave me. I'm trying to teach Jeff things that I learned the hard way. I hope he has a great season next year." Valentin added.

Henry Owens (2-0, 1.40, 6 saves) came up from Binghamton and has slowly graduated to be a main cog in the late inning bullpen.

"We started him out in long relief, he was the guy to come in when it was a blow out. But he very quickly showed he could be trusted in closer and closer games. I think was really clued us into that was that he would go 2 and 3 innings without allowing anything, that shows that you can pitch in closer games. And he's been absoultely lights out for us." Tejesh said.

Aaron Heilman (5-2, 4.08 in the rotation) started out in the bullpen and quickly amassed a 5.5+ era, not getting regular work.

"We didn't know what we had with him in the pen. We knew we wanted him to be a starter, but we also knew we needed a second solid arm in the pen. Our original tag team setup combo, Aaron and Duaner [sanchez] wasn't working out very well. Aaron was doing fine, but Sanchez was not. Owens filled one spot, but Aaron was caught stuck in the pen. He didn't sulk, he went out and did his job for us, and when we found Octavio Dotel was available, we knew that would be the perfect guy for us. So we pulled the trigger on it. And that's worked out perfectly for all of us." Tejesh commented.

"I just bided my time, Tejesh would routinely come to me and tell me they were looking for a second setup man so I could go to the rotation, and to keep my head up. And yeah, my first start, since I wasn't stretched out, it killed me in the 5th and 6th innings. But I think I'm throwing very well right now. And alot of that credit goes to Rick Peterson for working with me on the side to correct some of my mechanics." Heilman said.

The Mets closed out the first half of the season by winning 2 of 3 from the Florida Marlins, and they open the second half against the Nationals for 4, and the Pirates for 3. And manager Tejesh Patel hopes that his team puts the pedal down and rolls over everyone in the second half.

"I want to do some experimenting, I want to see what we have down on the farm. But not until the division is wrapped up. Until then, we go for the jugular."

The second half will prove whether the Mets truly have turned the corner from 2004, or if they are one half wonders.