Beltran Slams Marlins; Mets Win 5-4

This game had some incredible moments in the ninth… The Mets put together a four run rally with two outs in the ninth. So much for the Mets not putting up offense late in the game. Then Luis Ayala almost gave the lead back in the bottom of the frame. What a game!

The Mets went into the ninth inning down 2-1 against the Marlins closer Kevin Gregg. Quickly down to their last out, the Mets put together singles by Luis Castillo, and David Wright, Carlos Delgado was hit by a pitch, and Carlos Beltran blasted the first pitch he saw into the right field seats. It was only the Mets second grand slam this season but couldn’t have been more timely.

After another solid game by Oliver Perez, 6 IP and 1 ER, Brian Stokes and Joe Smith held the Marlins lead in check going into the ninth. After Beltran’s fireworks, Luis Ayala the de facto closer came in to shut the door. He barely did it… giving up four hits and two runs in the inning. He also left two men on base and had several balls hit very hard that went foul. Talk about sweating out the ninth.

It turned out the be a great win though because the Phillies lost and the Mets extend their lead to 2 games in the NL East.

Box score

On Deck- August 29- Mets at Marlins [Game 1]

New York Mets (74-60 Road: 33-35) at Florida Marlins (68-66 Home:35-31) 7:10pm

Oliver Perez (9-7 4.00) vs. Chris Volstad (4-3 3.42)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: Volstad is the Marlins hot-shot rookie pitcher that’s looked pretty good in eight starts this season. Perez didn’t pitch all that well in his last start at Shea against the Astros. But he’s had a great second half this season. It should be a good match up in Miami.

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Mets Rip Phillies Lidge For Big 6-3 Win

The Mets came away with a huge win tonight in Philly on an eighth inning rally off Rudy Saenz and Brad Lidge. What a game!

Carlos Delgado hit two solo homers and went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI’s in the game. Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran both had three hit games tonight too.

Johan Santana barely had a quality start going six innings and giving up three runs, all of them scored on two home runs.

These teams are really going at it like it’s October already. You gotta love that. The Mets and Phillies has turned into one of the best rivalries in baseball.

Box score

Mets Roster Moves- Castro, Figueroa, Cancel, and Rincon

Catcher Ramon Castro went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained quad today, and the Mets recalled Robinson Cancel from Triple-A New Orleans to replace him on the roster.

The Mets also optioned Argenis Reyes to New Orleans and purchased the contract of Nelson Figueroa. Figgy will likely replace John Maine in the rotation while he’s on the disabled list. Maine may even be lost for the season with bone spur problems in his throwing shoulder.

Figgy did a decent job in his first couple of starts for the Mets early this season. But the competition quickly caught up to him.

The Mets received pitcher Ricardo Rincon back from a loan to Mexico City. He was assigned to New Orleans.

On Deck- August 27- Mets at Phillies [Game 2]

New York Mets (73-60 Road: 32-35) at Philadelphia Phillies (73-59 Home: 39-28) 7:05pm

Johan Santana (12-7 2.64 vs. Kyle Kendrick (11-7 4.87)

TV: SNY  Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets lean on their ace Santana tonight to recover from last night’s devastating loss. Santana has been lights-out lately and hasn’t lost a game since June 28th.

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