Lets Keep Kicking Them Whilst They're Down!

(Thank you very much for two homeruns instead of three errors)

Does this make up for the three errors now?

Before we all step into the giddy machine and start talking about winning the NL East let us not forget that the last series against the Braves started with a Met's victory too. Pregame the WFAN broadcast booth couldn't contain their excitement, quoting Davey Johnson's infamous "I don't want to just win this year, I want to dominate," speech, indoctrinating the listeners with a fevered sort of expectation. This is the series where we can expect vindication. This is the series we will point to in the offseason, hey, remember when the Mets dismantled the Braves at Turner Field and knocked them out of the race by May? Pshaw. Hand on to your hats, fellahs. I'll be impressed with a sweep and nothing less. Two out of three is a prerequisite.

But for one day anyway, let's sing the praises of David Wright as hard as we lamented his bone-headed, game-losing errors a little over a week ago.

Last night were Wright's 10th and 11th homers against Atlanta, more than any other team and his ninth-inning blast was his sixth at Turner Field -- the most at any opposing stadium. The fifth time in his young career he's hit a pair of homers in one game. And look ma, no errors!


Battle of the Third Baseman of the Future and the Third Baseman of the Past

But last night was also a multi-layered pageant of documentary evidence that these are not the auld Mets and these Braves, well, they aren't looking like NL East Champions yet this season. So it's mandatory we kick them whilst they're down, before they get back on their feet and start chasing us again for first place. A six game lead we have. Could melt like the resolve of an alcoholic at a wine tasting in the dog days of August but the key here is to get these games against the Braves out of the way with as many games between us in the rear view mirror as possible.

And Pedro pitched the same magnificent game he nearly always pitches, virtually flawless save for the predictable homer surrendered to a Jones Boy, this time Larry, back off the DL with his two run homer to reduce the margin of error to 3-2 in the 6th inning.

But you know what? Not even at Turner Field, holding on to this fragile one run lead did this game ever feel like it could be swung in the Braves favour. Their bullpen sucks and if their starting pitching doesn't keep them in the game with a few run cushion, chances are, the Braves will be beat.

And let's not forget the all-important first run scored factor. How many games have the Mets scored first now and how many of those games churned out a victory? Strike first in a game like this between two aces and you hold the psychological advantage.

Pedro became the first Mets pitcher since Frank Viola in 1990 to win his first five starts. He joins auld man Gary Maddux in the Geezer's Club at 5-0. Very impressive for a guy with a cranky toe, isnt' it? When was the last time we heard about that elusive toe anyway? Does it seem like a decade ago our entire fragile season hung in the balance of Pedro's toe and now look at him...making mince pies of opposition.

There were a few moments in yesterday's game, not the predictable moments, like the two Wright homers or the Jose Reyes stand-up triple to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. Not the wonder of watching Smoltz continue to struggle despite his 178 career victories and 154 career saves. Not Kaz Matsui suddenly playing like the Kaz Matsui we bought out of Japan a few years ago, 10 for 27 before last night coming off the DL.

Things like Paul LoDuca throwing out Francoeur off a Pedro change up in the 7th inning reminding us this is a different Met team, no Piazza handicap for Brave baserunners even though LoDuca has still thrown out only 3 of 20 potential base stealers.

Things like the Chimps of Turner Field showing a surprising amount of class for a bunch confederate flag, tomahawk chopping automotons when they gave Julio Franco a remarkable standing ovation. Are these the same fans that won't even show up to watch their team at home in the playoffs?

And yes, things like Billy Wagner coming in to face Renteria and the Jones Boys and better still, striking out Larry Jones, his 12th career K against him and then, icing on the cake, hitting Andruw Jones. I mean, what better performance is that when you make Larry look like a fool and hit the other Jones? That's how to take care of the Braves.

Bases loaded, Todd Pratt to the plate. Swoosh, down go the Braves on three strikeouts to end the game.


Bad bat won't hit Wagner in the bottom of the 9th, swoosh! (and ps, I know that isn't Pratt but you try and find that picture - the Todd Pratt Conspiracy is keeping that picture off the net!)

Lastly, fragile little Carlos Beltran nursing his poor little hammy back to health misss out on yet another Braves game. It's getting to be a bit too much. You think Willie isn't thinking to himself, what is this little wanker doing, begging out of another urgent rivalry game? Willie in the pregame playing the diplomat about Beltran but he must be seething inside. Provided of course, he hasn't forgotten about Carlos Beltran already. Who needs him?

Well, we might not need him at the moment and if anything, this builds the character of the team even more, but we will need him before this season is over, not drawing walks and playing pretty, but making like the Houston Astro postseason Carlos Beltran blasting homer after homer on the way to the World Series.

*****

Yusaku Iriki has suspended 50 games for violating baseball's drug policy. What else can you think but, idiot? He tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance, tuna rolls.

Bannister on the DL and Victor Diaz is back with the club. Guess he had to get the nod over the sizzling Lastings Milledge simply because Diaz is due some respect and Milledge will have his day when the Mets trade Beltran to the Dodgers for oh, I dunno, Jae Seo?