And the Hits Keep Coming

The boys posted another 10 runs last night, on 15 hits. Steve Trachsel gets win # 15 on the season. All the starters had at least 1 hit, including Trax. Nice all around effort. The defense remains strong, with its 11th straight game without an error. Speaking of 11, Carlos Beltran has now scored at least 1 run in 11 straight games, tying Derek (Operation Shutdown) Bell for the Met record. Beltran also hit his 39th home run, breaking his career high, and tied his career high in RBI (now at 110 and counting). Can you say MVP?

Trax is now 12-1 in his last 15 starts. That is simply remarkable. For all of the angst he causes (go to metsgeek.com during one of his starts, you'll see what I mean), he just wins baby. As scary as it may be, he is going to be the #3 starter in the playoffs. Now, the only question is the #4, Maine or El Duque. Odds are on Maine, as Duque has a bit more experience pitching out of the pen. Heck, they could tag-team the game.

David Wright had 3 hits last night, including a triple, along with a walk, and 3 RBI. Jose Reyes had another HR and went 2-5. Shawn Green was 2-4 with a walk as well. The only fly in the ointment as it were was Aaron Heilman giving up 2 runs in the bottom of the ninth, but, considering how well he has done of late, he can be forgiven, especially with a 7 run lead at the time.

Strange to see Kaz Matsui getting 3 hits and stealing 2 bases. I don't think he ever had a productive a game as that as a Met. I am partly happy for him, as I feel that had he not been so injury prone, he could have been embraced here. Then again, had he done well his first season, Reyes might have been stuck at 2nd, and who knows how that would have impacted him.

The Mets are quite simply firing on all cylinders now. The NL is theirs, it is time to prep for hte playoffs. The magic number is 17.

I really enjoyed typing those last two sentances.

*****J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets Jets News*****
Surprising absolutely nobody, the Jets announced yesterday that Curtis Martin will remain on the PUP list for the start of the season, meaning the earliest he could play would be week 7. Odds are against that, based on various news reports.

Also, Mangini announced that Chad will be the starting QB. This is interesting, given that Mangini did not appear to think too highly of Chad when he was hired, and of course, Chad's injury. He has done enough to seperate himself from the competition (what little there was). My hope is that Chad is really ready to come back. I know, he can't throw the ball far, but he is a leader, and plays within his limits. Just because a guy has a cannon, does not mean he is a good QB. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present, Browning Nagle. $2 million arm, 2 cent head. Let's get behind Chad and hope for a good season. I am expecting 6-10, hoping for 8-8. Remember, they have an easy schedule for the most part, thanks to last season.

*****Islanders News*****
The Isles announced the signing of Peter Ferraro, a former Rangers first round pick to a one year deal. Peter's brother Chris played for the Isles in 99-00. If this guy don's an Isles jersey at any point during the season, I will be mighty pissed. He better be nothing more than AHL depth.

In more exciting news, the team announced the first Hall of Fame night on November 25. During the ceremony, they will honor Bob Bourne. A quiet guy, overshadowed by bogger stars, Bob actually shows up on a number of Isles top ten lists, for assists, goals, points, SHG, and Game Winning Goals. I remember his end to end rush in one game, a thing of beauty. He was a gifted skater, and a member of all 4 Cup Winning Teams. Nice to see him get some recognition.