Mets vs. Giants Running Blog

Mets win! Mets win! 9-7 in 11 innings. Castro started the game winning rally. He really is the best backup catcher ever. Woodward drove him in with a double then Reyes drove home Woodward. My heart almost stopped when I saw Julio in the bullpen but Willie ran Oliver out there for the bottom of the inning and he retired the side in order.

A good win for the team because it means a 4-3 record on the West Coast swing. The Mets had their worst record in AT&T Park compared to any other active stadium. Now they head to the #2 place on that list, Turner Field.

Hope you enjoyed it! - 7:30 PM

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David Wright just had a Mike Piazza moment. Reyes walked, stole second and went to third on a bunt by Valentin. They walked Delgado intentionally and Wright struck out. You cannot strike out (or pop out) with a runner on third and less than two outs in extra innings. That's the difference between good players and great players. The difference between winning and losing, living and dying.

Surprisingly Benitez didn't implode. Floyd fought off a lot of good pitches, stepped out of the box, Reyes ran up and down the line. Benitez ended up walking Floyd but he didn't give up a home run, which for him is saying something. Then he was able to get Nady to ground out to end the inning without giving up any runs. - 6:58 PM

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Wagner just blew another save with the help of David Wright. Wright couldn't get down for the ground ball hit by Vizquel. After two strikeouts Vizquel moved to second on indifference. Alou hit a tough grounder to Wright, instead of trying to tag Vizquel who was running right at him, Wright threw wide of first into the dugout. Vizquel scored, bringing Barroid Bonds up with a man on and the score 7-5.

Bonds hit a homer to center and the game is tied 7-7.

Benitez and Sanchez both looked awesome in their inning of work. Armando may stay in the game.

The word on Bannister's hamstring is "not good." Ok, that's two words. - 6:41 PM

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In addition to veteran leadership Julio Franco provided some offense getting a key 2-run single with men on second and third and one out. He even stole a base when Delgado was up. San Fran was using the shift so Pete Happy (the third baseman) had to cover. After Delgado struck out, Mr. Wright continued to bust out, hitting one to the gap to drive home Franco and give the Mets a 7-4 lead.

Sanchez in the 8th, Wagner in the 9th, that's the plan. - 6:12 PM

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Took a little nap, missed an inning but caught up.

Interview with Rickey was boring.

Bannister settled down and was actually ready to pitch into the 6th inning. Then he got a double and hurt himself scoring the go-ahead run. He might be seriously hurt. If Beltran is out a month, then Bannister should be out a year judging by reaction.

Big knock by Kaz to get him home though.

Heilman once again not sharp. This time Alou does it again tying the game at 4. - 5:56 PM

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Castro does it again, lines a single to right starting a rally. Chavez hit a fly ball that could have been caught but landed between Finley and Winn. Finley then hit it with his glove, and it hit Winn and bounced away, but not far enough for slow Castro to score. No matter, Bannister helped his own cause with a ripped double down the right field line. Unfortunately, he can't pitch for shit. Every inning 2 or 3 guys on.

Rickey Henderson is at the game. They showed him in the stands. I wonder if they sent Chris Cotter to interview him and Rickey said "Rickey ain't in the talking mood."

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Delgado just splashed one into McCovey Cove to cut lead to 2-1. Didn't seem like there were too many boats, someone on shore with a long net retrieved it.

That homer was his 9th, tying him with Dave Kingman for the club record for home runs in April. - 4:28 PM

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Gary Cohen said the people he talked to in San Francisco say Floyd's home run last night was the longest one ever hit into McCovey Cove. Bonds has hit 31 in there. Floyd almost had one to left but Randy Winn (Beers' favorite player) made a great leaping catch. Hernandez said the screen was in play so it only would have been a double.

Ramon Castro comes through again, hitting the ball in the same spot as Floyd, just lower and harder...over Winn's head.

Pedro Feliz (Pete Happy) is the best name since Jose Mesa (Joe Table).

Kate just came home with the groceries, unloading them is going to put me a few minutes behind the game. - 4:12 PM

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Brian Bannister did it again, sort of. He had 1st and 3rd and 1 out, Alou hit a long double that would have scored both runs had it not bounced over the fence. Then he struck out Finley and got Niekro to pop up. Niekro's ball was a tough play in foul territory in short right, Matsui made a nice play.

Steve Finley has 298 career home runs. He was traded for Edgardo Alfonzo in the offseason.

Jose Reyes has scored 17 of the 26 times he's reached base this season, but in the first inning after a walk, he got himself picked off.

Barroid Bonds is not playing today. - 4:00 PM

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Thank you for joining us for Paul's Poop's second ever running blog. I hope to be your eyes and ears if you are watching the game via Gamecast or some other internet service. - 3:34 PM