11 Alive!

What could have been a demoralizing (at least for we fans) series loss to the Cubs instead became a record-setting late afternoon/early evening for the Mets on Sunday. 11 Alive indeed.

The weekend started pleasantly enough with a victory over long-time nemesis Greg Maddux on Friday. Uncle Cliff returned from the All-Star break and has seemed to have found his swing (as well as kept his defense, nice catch Cliff). Cliff also still has his baseball magnet, as he was hit once again. Jose Valentin did his Jose Reyes impression, with a double and two stolen bases. Steve Trachsel won his 7th(!) straight in the effort. After a minor blow up in the first, Steve settled in. The bullpen did the job as well, with Aaron Heilman tossing a scoreless inning, Filthy Sanchez doing the same (while giving up a hit and a walk. When was the last time Heilman looked better than Filthy?). Country Time pitched the ninth allowing a run on 2 hits.

Saturday saw Tom Glavine's first loss in quite a while. The curse of Zambrano continues, as the Mets lost to the better Zambrano, Carlos. The bullpen had its issues, allowing inherited runners to score, and Henry Owens gave up 4 runs. Henry was sent down after the game, with Heath Bell racking up more Norfolk to NYC frequent flier miles. Heath plans on using his miles to visit Costa Rica in the offseason, twice. The Mets totaled 5 hits in the effort. Glavine fell to 11-3, while the Mets are a ridiculous 16-4 in games he has started this season.

Last night started off poorly. El Duque lasted all of 1 2/3 innings, touched for 5 runs. The bullpen put on quite a show, 7 1/3 innings allowing only 2 runs (Aaron Heilman giving up a HR to Phil Nevin). Darren Oliver once again was strong in coming in for a starter who could not quite get going. Oliver has been a key this season, a key many thought at the start of the season was a bad fit.

Slowly, the offense began to awake. Chris Woodward, after being robbed of a home run Friday, left no doubt this time, with a HR in the 4th. Uncle Cliffy had a solo shot in the 5th (against a lefty mind you). Then came the sixth. Thanks to a couple of errors, the Mets had a few extra chances, and they made the most of them. Uncle Cliffy had another HR, a Grand Slam. Again, off of a lefty. Carlos Beltran had another GS. David Wright remembered his HR bat and had a 2 run shot. The Mets set a record with 11 runs in the frame, and 2 GS in the same game for the first time ever. Uncle Cliffy completed his fun in Chicago with 5 RBI Sunday. The average is now at 256. The numbers in July are healthy, at 355 avg 1.022 OPS and 548 SLG prior to last night. Methinks he may be warming up a bit. The Mets beat the rookie lefty who typically makes them look foolish again. I prefer this new way to the old way where the unheralded rookie beats them instead.

Cliff joked on Friday that he hopes to help the team in the second half and that people forget the first half. I hope Cliff's joke comes true, because they need him hitting to counteract the slump Delgado has been in. If this lineup can get everyone hitting, it will compensate for the back-end of the rotation, which continues to be a worry. El Duque has been OK for the most part, with a few great starts, but a couple of clunkers like yesterday thrown in. Pedro's health is a concern, and Glavine has not been as on as of late. Steve Tracshel is not going to continue winning at this pace. The Mets have to hope that Mike Pelfrey can step into the rotation, else Omar is going to be under pressure to make a deal for a top flight starter, which will of course mean dealing at least Lastings Milledge. Even with a healthy Pedro and solid Glavine, the Mets need 4 starters in the playoffs in a best of 7 series, as Pedro cannot go on short rest, nor can Glavine. Tracshel would be the 3 or 4. At this point, El Duque is not the answer.

A story this weekend had the Mets scouting Kris Benson. The Mets denied they were interested. Kris is having a nice season for the Orioles, but he is due for his annual bout with tired arm. Unless they can get him for a bag of balls, I would hope he is not coming back to Shea. For those wondertng if perhaps the Mets can obtain Escobar from the Angels, he is on the DL, as is Jared Weaver, reducing their depth. The Garcia and Vasquez rumors persist, though if the cost is Filthy Sanchez, I would hope Omar would say no. Heilman on the other hand I would not be against.

Off day today, on to Cincinnati for a 3 game set. Pelfrey makes his second ML start on Tuesday against Eric Milton.