Orioles 6 Mets 3

All good things must come to an end. We knew the Mets couldn't keep winning forever, nor could they keep scoring in the first inning of every game, but this game was still a little disappointing.

Soler deserved better tonight. He allowed only four hits and 2 runs, both in the third. One of those runs was unearned because Roberts reached on an error, given to Reyes, but Delgado actually deserved it for dropping the throw. Soler lowered his ERA to 3.00 and has shaken off that horrible start, and has pieced together three good ones.

The offense did nothing against Eric Bedard. They didn't get their first hit until the 5th inning. They scored a run in the second on two walks, a sacrifice and a groundout. But they did take the lead in the 5th on a 2 run double from Reyes, who stayed hot tonight, while the rest of the Mets cooled down.
Reyes leads the National League in runs scored (tied with Rickie Weeks) at 54. And he also has 35 RBI, an exceptional total for a leadoff man.

But when Soler left after the 6th the Mets planned to bring in Heilman, Sanchez and Wagner for one inning each. Heilman sucked again. He has been very spotty this season and right now I think Feliciano and Bradford are more reliable in a big spot. Heilman can't seem to throw strikes and that's what got him in trouble. He walked the first two batters he faced, then got a sacrifice. The next ball was hit sharply at Delgado and he couldn't handle it, so instead of a play at the plate, he got the out at first and the tying run scored. Heilman then gave up a single, followed by a backbreaking home run to former Met Melvin Mora.

I don't know if Heilman is pouting about not being in the rotation, if he really has a mechanical problem or if he just isn't that good. But I do not trust him in a big spot. Other than Heath Bell (who has only pitched in 9 games), Heilman is the only Met reliever not to have a win this season. Bartolome Fortunato and Jorge Julio both do. Heilman is 0-2, while Sanchez, Wagner and Oliver are a combined 10-0. His 4.86 ERA is the worst of anyone (starter or reliever) currently on the team.

Gary Cohen made his return to the broadcast booth after missing two weeks following an emergency appendectomy. Omar Minaya was in the booth, talking about Milledge, but not his plans for him. Just said he still has some growing up to do but they aren't worried about him. Ralph Kiner was also in the booth. You know he didn't say anything noteworthy.

They kept reminiscing about the 1969 World Series, I guess having the Orioles in town will do that. My favorite undertold story about 1969 is from Buddy Harrelson. Don Buford (father of former Met Damon) led off the first game of the series with a home run. According to Buddy as he rounded second Buford told him "you ain't seen nothing yet." Buddy replied "first inning, first game, you ain't seen nothing yet either." The Mets lost that first game, and won the next four. So I guess Buddy was right.

The Orioles selected Nick Markakis one slot ahead of where the Mets took Lastings Milledge in the 2003 draft. This season in 176 at bats, Markakis is batting .227 with 2 homers and 16 RBI. In 56 at bats, Milledge is batting .241 with 2 homers and 11 RBI. Hopefully the Orioles will regret that decision for many years.