Game Summary

Livan Hernandez survived a shaky start, but settled down and gave the Mets six solid innings, as the Mets won their seventh straight and beat the Pirates 8-4 on Sunday. Carlos Beltran, Luis Castillo and Omir Santos each drove in a pair of runs for the Mets, who continued their offensive revival at the plate. The Mets are now all alone if first place. That’s right – take it all in Mets fans!

Mets Pitching

Livan Hernandez didn’t look as sharp as he did in his last start, but pitched well enough to win and what more can you ask for from your fifth starter. He got into trouble in the first inning, but then settled down and completed six innings, allowing two runs and seven hits for the win.

The bullpen was solid, well almost solid. Pedro Feliciano pitched a scoreless seventh. J.J. Putz followed with a scoreless eighth, and then Sean Green came out to pitch the ninth.  Green allowed a walk and then served up a two-run homer to Nate McLouth. Green now has a 9.00 ERA.

I’m sure that whenever Tim Redding is activated, Sean Green will be sent to AAA-Buffalo. But lets focus on the positives right now!

Mets Hitting

The Mets bast came alive in the fourth inning again when the got on the board with three runs to take the lead. Omir Santos had the big hit when he singled in both David Wright and Dan Murphy with the tying and winning runs.

The Mets tacked on four more runs in the eighth when Jose Reyes walked with the bases loaded, Castillo hit a sac fly and Beltran drove home two more when he launched a double that just missed being a three run homer.

The Mets stole four bases in the game including two by Luis Castillo who now has four, one by Reyes who has 10, and one by Wright who now has five.

 Random Thoughts

The Mets seven-game win streak is their longest since they won ten straight games last July 5-17. Every Mets starter has gone at least six innings during this win streak, and they’re a combined 6-0 with a 2.26 ERA.

Jose Reyes reached 300 career stolen bases, was 2-for-4 and finished the series 7-for-13 with four runs scored. Oh, he’s back alright!

Catcher Omir Santos, had two hits in the game to raise his batting average to .300. He also drove in two runs and nailed a runner at second base on an attempted steal. Brian who? 

Game Ball

Luis Castillo went 2-4 with two ribbies and two swipes! He is batting .333 this season…

Up Next

How incredible does this sound… We have a seven game winning streak going and Johan Santana goes against Derek Lowe and the Braves tomorrow! LGM!