N.Y. Mets ~ Amazins Pass a Major Test

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  Starting Pitchers Continue to Dominate June.   End Tough Nineteen Game Stretch on Amazin' Note.

Dillon Gee took his place in the Mets' arms race tonight.  The sophomore righty contributed yet another splendidly pitched game by the Mets in the month of June.  He only gave up three hits on the night in 7.1 innings pitched.  He evened his season record to 5-5, and also lowered his ERA from 4.43, to a 4.27 mark.

Gee started out allowing just one hit through seven complete innings.  He only walked one, while striking out eight Orioles, and had only thrown eighty-two pitches to that point.  So the thought was he still had gas left in the tank.  He was working on the Mets' third consecutive shutout.

In the eighth inning, Dillon Gee set his new career high for strikeouts with number nine, but not before surrendering a two run home run to Wilsonn Betemit to make it a 4-2 game.  Then after issuing his second walk of the evening, Coach Terry went to the mound and removed his starter.  Dillon Gee walked off the field to a rousing ovation.

Then in came Bobby Parnell with a runner on first and one out.  He made it interesting by allowing the next batter to hit safely.  But Bobby got the Mets out of the inning without incurring further damage, and kept Dillon Gee's effort on the winning side.

Coach Terry went with his closer, Frank Francisco, in the ninth, who promptly loaded the bases with two outs.  Francisco proceeded to walk in a run, making it a 4-3 game.  Then up came Brian Roberts for the Orioles.  A ground ball to Jordany Valdespin at second base ended this game that almost started to go south on the Mets.  But with the 4-3 final, the Amazins completed their sweep of the Baltimore Orioles.

It was a roller coaster finish, but the Mets have arrived at their off day having gone 10-9 over a stretch of nineteen games against teams with better than .500 records.  They got swept by the Yankees in the Bronx, then swept the Rays in Tampa.  They returned to Flushing and got swept by the Reds, and now, they sweep the Orioles.  For the moment, that's Mets' Baseball.  And we'll take it.

Enjoy your day off guys.  After recovering to improve your record to 38-32,  you've all earned a well deserved day off.  All that's left is to read, and listen tomorrow, to what all the Mets' media naysayers will have to say regarding the club now.  So come hungry boys.  There's plenty of crow for every one of you to eat.



Mike.BTB