Insert J-Roll Pun Here

It didn't look good early. John Maine was not getting the calls. David Wright was seemingly lost at the plate. Still, the Mets led 3-2 after 5. Then, Ambiorix Burgos gave up a 2 out 3 run Home Run to Ryan Howard, and it was 5-3 Mets. And Cole Hamels was dealing (and getting the benefit of a strike zone that the Mets did not get). But they were not quite dead yet.

In the seventh, Joe Smith pitched a 1-2-3 inning. In the bottom of the inning, PLD got a hit. Beltran walked, and Delgado (who had a monster day, going 3-3 with 2 RBI), drove in PLD to make it 5-4. But the fun was just beginning.

Pedro Dos pitched a 1-2-3 top of the eight. And then the Mets brought the pain.
Moises Alou led off with a single. Shawn Green followed with a single. After Alou was forced at 3rd on a bunt, Julio Franco walked to load the bases for Jose Reyes. Jimmy Rollins then made an error on a grounder by Reyes, leading to the tying run. And there was much rejoicing. Phillies reliever Geoff Geary uncorked a wild pitch, and the Mets led 6-5. And there was much rejoicing. And a LOT of chants of "Jimmy Rollins."

But they were not done yet. PLD walked, and Leiber came in to face Beltran. Beltran plated another run with a Sac Fly. It was now 7-5. David Wright doubled to deep left (welcome to the party David) and it was 9-5. Moises ALou followed with a single, plating both Delgado and Wright. Mercifully, Endy Chavez (who had pich run for Green), grounded out to Rollins to end the beating inning. Seven runs in the frame. A 5-4 deficit was suddenly an 11-5 lead. And Shea was rocking.

Billy Wagner came in, even with a 6 run lead, and set the Philets down 1-2-3.
So, Maine did not pitch well. Burgos gave up a home run to Howard. Yet the bats more than made up for the pitching issues. This was a statement to the Phillies, and to the experts. yes, there will be games where the starters are not at there best. But the lineup is capable of putting up a crooked number very quickly.

And it was a statement to the Phillies as well, particularly Jimmy Rollins. "Your mouth is writing checks your body can't cash son".

So, a day of rest tomorrow. Wednesday, the Phils have Adam Eaton going. The Mets counter with Oliver Perez.

I have the sneaking feeling Jimmy is gonna get a few questions about his comments in the spring. And about how he screwed the pooch today. Jimmy, going 0-3 is not the way to show you are the leader of the "Team to Beat".

Now, it's early. I know this. But the Phillies are now 1-6. Their bullpen is a mess. There starting pitching outside of Hamels is nothing to write home about. They have Howard, this is true. But little else.

Methinks the Mets need to send an early statement. It started today. Finish it on Wednesday and Thursday. Don't let them up like we did to Atlanta this weekend. Finish Them.