Mets Steal First Game From Giants 7-4

The Mets had another unlikely win last night that saw them come from behind and take the lead with three runs in the ninth inning and then hang on for the 7-4 win.

The go-ahead run scored after Carlos Beltran doubled and then stole third base in the ninth. David Wright then drove home Beltran with a single that dropped into shallow right field. Ramon Castro drove in Wright and Gary Sheffield later into add to the lead. It was another clutch stolen base for Beltran that sparked a victory for the Mets.

The highlight of the game was watching the Mets, especially David Wright, wreak havoc on the basepaths with seven stolen bases, a new single-game franchise record. Wright had four swipes, setting a new career high for him, and even Sheffield showed some speed when he stumbled into third base and got the safe call in the ninth inning.

John Maine started the game and after getting off to a very shaky start, he settled down and held the Giants to just two runs in 6 2/3 innings, for his fourth consecutive quality start.  The Mets handed Maine a 1-0 lead to start the game, but he quickly gave up two runs in the first inning, allowing three hits, two walks and two wild pitches. That would be the only two runs the Giants would score off of him.

However, Maine didn’t get the decision because reliever Bobby Parnell gave up two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and blew the Mets 4-2 lead.

After the huge Mets comeback in the ninth, they called upon closer Frankie Rodriguez to close the game out and he picked up his 10th save in as many save opportunities. Nice!

The Mets played with an aggressiveness on the basepaths that was a sight for sore eyes, and I could only hope we continue to see this kind of play more often from them.

The interesting fact of the game, comes from Adam Rubin of the Daily News who wrote,

The Mets are 9-2 in 11 games since Oliver Perez’s disastrous outing in Philadelphia. The starting pitchers have limited opponents to 21 earned runs in 68-2/3 innings, good for a 2.75 ERA during that stretch.

The Mets now try and keep the magic going tonight against 2008 Cy Young winner, Tim Lincecum.

Lets Go Mets!