Without Beltran Mets Nearly Hitless In Houston

What a most valuable difference Carlos Beltran makes.

First he saves Game Two with a stunning catch so dangerous that it involves bodily injury and then because of The Catch of Game Two he misses Game Three and resultantly, the Mets are nearly hitless against the best Houston Astro starter who Might've Been a Met, Roy Oswalt. Oswalt started the Astros’ last no-hitter, against the New York Yankees on June 11, 2003.



The $73 million man took a perfect game into the 7th inning against the Mets last night and came out of it one moment of infamy poorer after Jose Reyes beat out a bouncer to short to lead off the inning.

El Duque, back on the mound for the first time since 20th August after a prolonged rest of his weary 50-year old bones, walked six in 5 1/3 innings and was the author of his own demise in spite of allowing only a single hit. Although he was encouraged by his outing, let's let the impact of 106 pitches have their impact on his senior cititzen frame and we'll decide how encouraged to be by it.

And in spite of none of the other members of the back up bullpen (Roberto Hernandez, Darren Oliver and Guillermo Mota) allowing a hit, the Astros still managed to score a second run, sufficient to snuff out the Mets' one at-bat rally in the 9th when Carlos Delgado homered, his 35th of the year.

“Not too many opportunities, a sacrifice fly here and there. Real strange game.” Willie puzzled after the game. Losing whilst giving up only one hit is a real sign of futility. It's only happened once before in Mets history.

Of course when Beltran, Paul LoDuca and David Wright are out of the lineup and the outfield going 0 for 11, not much can be expected in the excitement department.

And when you win the first two games against a team on the road, the third game, the sweeping gesture with a ten million game lead over your nearest rivals, is rather unnecessary, the question of motivation must certainly become a factor, as would Roy Oswalt on the mound. Then again, Oswalt was a mere mortal in eight career outings against the Mets; 3-3 with a 3.78 ERA.

So it must be down to the simple fact the Mets can't win 'em all. What would be the fun in it?

*****

Good to see Ryan Howard making mincemeat of the rest of the league's pitching as well.

Of course, not to be outdone, Albert Pujols also smacked three homers meaning that whilst Beltran was recovering from The Catch, his two main opponents for the NL MVP were out trying desperately to make up for lost ground.

Let's see:



It's a close race.

*****

Now comes the blood-laden gravy as the Atlanta Braves, a decade worst 65-71, come to Shea in what we all hope will be a sweet and satisfying sweep by a cumulative 20-3 margin.