Glavine Saves Pen For Last, Mets 9 Cubbies 5

With the bullpen having been heavily involved in all three games against the Brewers, two of which resulted in last inning meltdown losses, it was up to Tom Glavine to give the arms a rest.

Last night he pitched 8 innings of better-than-average-Glavine, allowing 10 hits and 5 runs, but more importantly, lasting 8 long innings on 105 pitches and giving the bullpen a very needed rest. In addition, he earned victory No. 270, moving him into a tie with famous spitballer Burleigh Grimes for 30th place on the all-time list. Over his last 5 starts, Glavine is 2-2 with a 3.18 ERA.


Alleviating the pressure, KooKooKachoog pitched a perfect 9th inning.

It wasn't just Glavine lasting 8 innings but the continued Met offensive which controlled late inning usage. The batting order jumped on Cub rookie starter Rich Hill early, scoring 7 runs in the first 1 1/3 innings, six of which came in the second inning and loosened up alot of breathing room early on. On the night, the Mets finished with 14 hits, a far cry from their impoverished batting displays earlier this season. The Mets are hitting .290 and are averaging five and a half runs since the All-Star break, more than a run better per game than the first half.

Not even the return off the disabled list by Nomar Garciaparra, Kerry Wood (making his first career bullpen appearance) and Scott Williamson could propel the Cubs who, like the Mets have struggled to keep their heads above water all season and fell below .500 for the first time since 10 July. Unlike the Mets, the Cubs came into the season with high expectations and have floundered in a miserable puddle of disappointment.

But like many times this season when preparations were being made to issue last rites to the Mets season, they have bounced back relaxed as though their season weren't on the verge of collapse and they had been merely playing possum.

Jose Reyes extended his hitting streak to 18 games with three hits and added 2 runs and 2 stolen bases to his collection. Over his last 25 games, Reyes is hitting .363 with a .390 OBP and 12 stolen bases, a key to the recent offensive resurgence.

Carlos Beltran also had three hits, a stolen base and a run batted in whilst we await the expected second half surge from the resident superstar to propel the Mets into the postseason as he did the Astros last season.

David Wright walked twice more last night and has an OBP of .500 along with seven walks so far this month. Selectivity is becoming the key to the Mets success at the plate.

*****

The victory allowed the Mets to gain back a game in the NL East as the Braves were pounded by the St Louis Cardinals 11-3 in an unexpectedly poor start from John Smoltz. Florida won but both Washington and Philadelphia lost, as did the wildcard leading Houston Astros. A night of good news for the Mets all around.

This afternoon, Hall of Famer Greg Maddux will face the just-recalled Jae Seo instead of the miserably ineffective Kaz Ishii, another unexpected break for the Mets.