So, I almost had to re-do my entire entry for tonight.  Like any writer, I was putting my thoughts together and organizing how I was going to write everything down, when the bottom of the 9th happened.  My TV’s life was extended after Ryan Church caught Chipper’s attempt to win the game for the Braves.  With a 4-1 lead and 2 down in the bottom of the 9th, K-Rod gives up a hit and a walk, when Omar Infante pops up a bloop right to Delgado.  I was about to walk into my kitchen, but thought that nothing is a sure thing (especially with the Mets) and stayed to watch Carlos flat out DROP the ball.  Funny thing is, if everyone runs it out, the runner on 1st is at least on 3rd and Infante is easily on 2nd, instead of 1st.  He would then have scored on Escobar’s single, tying the game.  Thankfully, Omar loafed it, made it to 3rd on the single, and was stranded on Chipper’s flyout. 

Up until the 2 out roller coaster ride, the pitching for the Mets was amazing.  Livan went 6 1/3, 7 hits, 1 run, 2 BBs and 2 Ks, only throwing 75 pitches (discounting the Ollie start, it was the Mets 4th straight quality start).  He totally could have gone at least another inning, but got into a bit of a jam, and Manuel decided not to push his luck (not a bad decision at all).  Parnell, Putz, and K-Rod did their respective jobs.  K-Rod’s would have been smoother, if not for Delgado’s error.  In keeping with the theme of not allowing runs, the Mets defense (in the 1st 7 innings) was great.  They turned 3 double-plays.  And on Prado’s run-scoring double, Murphy made a great play, cutting the ball off, otherwise, Schafer probably scores and ties the game at 2.  Then, the defense went downhill, as Castillo and Delgado made routine-play errors.

Offensively, the effort was mixed.  They got 11 hits: good.  Only 4 runs (including leaving 2 on in the 9th…2nd and 3rd with no out and neither scored): bad.  4 players wth multiple hits, including Castro with 3: good.  Leaving 12 on base and goin 3 for 13 with RISP: bad.  Luckily, the pitching out-weighed the hitting and the Mets got away with a sweep in the ATL…  

Points for your morning coffee:

• Daniel Murphy had a nice game.  He went 1 fo 4 with a run scored.  Also, he saved a run with a nice defensive play in the 7th.  And, after a botched throw by Chipper in the 9th, moved up to an un-occupied 2nd base.  That forced the Braves to walk Beltran, creating a big opportunity for Delgado.  As defensively challeneged as he was to start the year, I’m enjoying watching his progress, not only as a fielder, but as a baseball player.
• Despite his almost biffing the game away, Delgado did have a huge hit in the 9th with the bases loaded, plating the soon-needed 2 runs.  Give and Take, I guess…
• The Mets have swept a series -albeit a mini 2 game series- in Atlanta for the first time in 2 years…winning there will never get old for me.
• Yunel Escobar is just adding to the log-jam of great short-stops in the NL East…he went 3 for 5 with an RBI tonight…
• Johan Santana has given up 4 earned runs this year.  That is fewer than 3 Mets relievers (Putz, 6; Feliciano, 5; Green, 12 -yikes)…
• Is anyone else excited about the Royals?  The epitome of a small market team and they are leading their division by 1.5 games (I know its early May, but let’s enjoy it while we can).  Greinke has 37.5% of their wins…
• This is fun: the Nats and Astros had their 10-10 game called in the 11th inning today because of rain.  The game was played in DC.  But they don’t play again until July 9th (in Houston).  That will be the date that this game will be continued.  So, the home team will wear gray in the1st game?  And, given the probable lack of success of both teams (sorry, Nats and Astros fans *Cassie*) and it being near the trade deadline, how will they handle players who won’t be on the roster then and players who weren’t today but will be on the roster then?  Yay for tight schedules and short series…
• Also, tough loss for the Wings to the Ducks tonight…sometimes, life just isn’t fair…not much else you can say about that game…

Quote of the Night:

“Keith, its your favorite song.”  “[Its] all around major league baseball.  You just can’t get away from it.”  -Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez, upon hearing the sound bite “Everybody Clap Your Hands.” 

Wednesday, 7pm, Park/Santana…