Mets Merized Online - A Mets Blog For Real Mets Fans!

Well the Mets somehow managed to pull out a victory against the Atlanta Braves today, by a score of 4-3. The win was notched by John Maine, while Billy Wagner came on in the 9th inning to slam the door for his 5th save of the 2008 season.

John Maine had a very good outing today, its just a shame that it couldn't have lasted longer. Maine struck out 7 while surrendering 3 hits with 2 earned runs. However, thanks in part to 3 walks Maine labored through this one, throwing 100 pitches through 5 innings. His effort was still more than enough to win this game, he'd improve to a 2-2 record on the season.

The Mets' offense was silent in every inning except the 3rd. In the 3rd inning, they pounced on a Tim Hudson who clearly didn't have his best stuff. Endy Chavez had the first hit of that frame by lining a single into right field. With a runner on first base and nobody out, David Wright hit a single of his own, putting runners on 1st and 2nd base. The Mets were far from being finished that inning, as Carlos Beltran hit a shot over the head of Braves center fielder Mark Kotsay, plating both Chavez and Wright. The next batter, Ryan Church, hit a frozen rope right over the first base bag and into the right field corner, scoring Carlos Beltran and landing Church at third with an RBI triple. Carlos Delgado was the next to hit, he'd hit a slow roller to Atlanta first baseman Mark Teixeira. Church was able to score on this grounder, as he was breaking on contact. Delgado would be retired for the putout, while Church's run would be the 4th of the inning.

While this normally wouldn't be enough offense to win a baseball game, the Braves simply couldn't figure out the Mets' pitching today. The Braves would manage just 6 hits today, and strike out a total of 11 times. It looked like it'd be just another long day for the Mets in the top of the 1st inning when Mark Teixeira doubled in Kelly Johnson, but the Braves' bats were turned off for the rest of the day. Tim Hudson scored in the 3rd inning on a wild pitch, Jeff Francouer would score in the 6th inning off of a Martin Prado single, and that was all she wrote.

There were a few positives today; primarily, the solid effort from the Mets' bullpen. In 4 innings of relief, just 1 run scored, and 4 Braves would strikeout. I wish Aaron Heilman would remember how to pitch a scoreless frame (he'd give up a run today), but I guess Mets fans really can't be picky after the team's 2nd win in 7 games. Another positive was that third baseman David Wright busted right out of his slump, with 2 base knocks on the day. I don't think any Mets' fans were concerned about Wright, but its really good to see the middle of the order driving in runs and getting hits today.

Like all games, there were a few negative aspects. I think I speak for all Mets fans when I ask, "CAN CARLOS DELGADO GET A HIT ALREADY?!!!?!" He took another 0-fer today, dropping his average down to .186. I'll acknowledge that he made a couple of hard hit outs today, but Delgado has to start thinking outside of the box to get his average up by now. Bunt. Look to go the other way. Think singles, not doubles or home runs. He was booed routinely today, I think many Mets fans are running out of patience with Delgado and his 16 hits in 86 at-bats this season.

Game Ball: David Wright (we'll need his bat in the upcoming series against Matt Morris and the Pittsburgh Pirates)