Ed Likes Comebacks

First, you might notice the new name. Ed decided to do away with any Jets and Islanders blogging for the most part (though if the Isles draft a goalie with their first round pick this weekend, I may change my mind), so I needed to change the name. What better name than Keith's favorite saying "Nice Level Swing"? That's what I strive for here, a nice level swing at a good post. Sadly, my average is in Endy territory.

So, last night, game 2 of the Manuel Era. Perez vs. Garland. Jose was in the lineup, so apparently Jerry wasn't too pissed about the temper tantrum Tuesday. Delgado was moved to DH (showcase for an AL team?). Marlon played first.

Mets jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Jose led off with a single (Jerry then yelled from the dugout "Are you all right?" Somehow, I don't see Willie making that joke.). He then stole second, went to third on a throwing error, and scored on a DW groundout. Top third, Jose decides to give the Angels catcher a break and hits a triple. Marlon drove him in with a Sac Fly. In the 4th, Delgado Del-Got-One, and it was 3-0.

The Angels scored one in the bottom of the 4th. In the 5th, they took a 4-3 lead, though DW made a nice play to save another run, and then Torii Hunter got caught sleeping trying to go to second, and got caught in a rundown (nice heads up by El Cabesa Grande to throw to 2nd). Things looked dark for Jerry's Kids, as they did nothing in the 6 - 8th. In the ninth, Francisco Rodriguez, who had not blown a save since April 7th came on to pitch. Castro led off with a pop out. Jose singled. Tatis struck out. F-Rod then uncorked a wild pitch, moving Jose to 2nd with DW at the plate. David has struggled in late games. The Mets struggle with RISP, much less RISP with 2 outs. So of course, DW laces a slider into left, tying the game.

Dirty pitched a scoreless ninth, and we go to extras with the black hole that is the lower half of the lineup due to hit. Delgado grounded out. Nixon struck out. Damion Easley followed with a homer to left, and the Mets led 5-4. Bill came in for a 1-2-3 10th, and the Mets move on to Colorado winners of 2 straight series, and a win against a team that had been 201-2 when leading after 8 innings since 2006. That HAS to be a confidence boost for this team.

Sadly, Ed was not able to see the game as he is out of town, so I cannot say how the players look. But to my eyes on Metsgeek, the team seems looser and having more fun. Heck, they are even hazing Joe Smith by making him wear a "Hello Kitty" backpack on his pre-game walks from the dugout to the pen. Good stuff there.

Is this a turning point? I don't know, the time machine is broken. But I will say this, the team had shown some signs of life lately under Willie. Perhaps they had already started to turn the corner. Maybe the change from automatic to Manuel is going to shift them into the next gear.

I hope so.

Just
Win
Series

LGM