Johan Santana and John Maine have to pitch well if the Mets want to win this series...PERIOD. Johan got beat up in Cincinatti and Maine didnt't get out of the 5th inning again. At the beginning of the season these two guys were supposed to be very strong starters in the rotation, who would give solid start after solid start. They've both been mediocre of late,especially John Maine. He's starting to look like Oliver Perez on the mound,extremely frustrated. It's almost as if they've traded attributes. Perez has been great of late and Maine walks every other batter. This series could be a great boost for both Santana and Maine. If the Mets sweep the series after taking 3 of 4 last time they played the Phillies in Citizens Bank, consider the Mets NL East Champions.

And they failed miserably!

It just seems so long ago that we were talking about the success of the bullpen. They went something like 20+ innings without giving up a run on the road, and then THIS at home!
It's totally understandable why Johan would be upset. He gives a great performance, giving up little, and then the guys that are supposed to have his back (the bullpen) blow it AGAIN! To quote Yogi "It's Deja Vu, all over again".
Also, what about the base running, leaving the bases loaded, some sloppy defense in the later innings.
HERE WE GO AGAIN!
Come on guys, we're behind you! Get behind each other.

Tug Said it.....I believe it....That settles it......
YA GOTTA BELIEVE

The bullpen got steamrolled last night. Duaner Sanchez looked bad giving up three hits in a row before getting lifted. Perhaps Duaner is not mentally ready to fill in as closer. One thing I've noticed about Duaner is that he will get ahead of hitters and then throw then pitches out over the plate which get smacked. Duaner needs schooling on what to do when he's ahead in the count.

It felt good to have Billy Wagner come into the game and save it last night. Billy has blown several saves but he's the closer we're going to the party with. We're back even and today (weather permitting) we can get back on top of the NL East.

Are you feeling better now? I like how the Mets came back from that crushing game 1 loss to win the next two. So I feel better. Three games up would be better than one but we've got a long way to go and a lot of teams to beat. Nice pitching by Oliver Perez once again. And a game winning hit by Carlos Delgado. I think that the Phillies realize now that the Mets are not going away anytime soon.

Great win for the Mets,the first place Mets. They should have swept these clowns but I'll take the 2 of 3. Great performance by Perez,you couldn't ask more from the guy except a better attitude in the dugout after getting pulled. Hopefully Pelfrey can follow up with a good start tomorrow against the Cardinals. It's gonna get a lot harder for the Mets here on out.One more note, DON'T TAKE THE MARLINS FOR GRANTED!!!!

I've calculated that Oliver Perez has a 1.36 ERA (5 earned runs in 33 2/3 innings) over his last five starts. The Mets are 4-1 in those games. Oliver's performance is a major reason that the Mets have come back the way they have.