DODGERS BLUE

Mets 6, Dodgers 0 (NYM: 51-47, 3.5 GB; LA: 44-54)

The Mets did exactly what they needed to do coming out of the All-Star break. They had a 10-game homestand, and a chance to make a run, and they did that. After taking two out of three from Los Angeles, the Mets are now three-and-a-half games behind the Braves and Nationals. Of course, it would be a lot better if the Mets had swept the Dodgers, but two out of three is very good - things are moving in the right direction.

The Nationals lost again to the Astros - this time on a three-run homer in the 14th inning. This was the type of game where pitchers were pinch-hitting - the Nationals had used up their bench by the end of the 9th! I love that the feel-good story ended so quickly. I hope it doesn't make me un-American to root against the Nationals, but they're in the Mets' division. The Nationals now play the Braves - so the Mets need to keep winning, and keep pace with one of those teams. (They're both off Monday - that series starts Tuesday.)

As for the Mets, Kris Benson is having one of the best seasons of any pitcher. He's only 7-3 after Sunday's win, but thank goodness the Mets scored him some runs - he's been the hard-luck pitcher of the year. Benson hasn't given up more than 3 runs in his last 6 or so starts, but the Mets haven't been scoring enough runs to get him any wins. He deserved a win on Sunday, and had to shut out the opponent to get it. 8 scoreless for Benson - he's been great.

Mike Piazza was 3-for-3, with 3 RBI. He got the Mets going early with a bomb of a home run in the second inning. He's been moved down in the order, but has taken everything that's happened to him this year very gracefully. He's acknowledged Cliff Floyd is the big bat - and carried the team for much of the first half. He knows David Wright and Jose Reyes are the future, and he's on his way out. But I think he wants one last shot at glory, and realizes this team has the pieces in place...and he might be heating up. That was a great-looking homer he hit on Sunday, and now the Mets are headed to Colorado and Houston, where some hot bats can pad offensive numbers. Piazza always hits well in Colorado - we'll keep an eye on that.

The pitchers probably don't like the upcoming road trip - but the batters have to be salivating. The Mets should handle Colorado. They stink. Then in Houston, the Mets played well last year - beating Roger Clemens in dramatic fashion when I was on my honeymoon - Piazza had a game-winning homer then too, I think. Or a game-tying homer...I think Jason Phillips actually had a big hit too. Anyway, the Astros are a lot better now than when they came to Shea in April- the Mets swept them in their home season-opening series. They just did the Mets a favor, too, by beating the Nationals three out of four. That series will be a test to see how far the Mets have come here - because San Diego isn't great, and the Dodgers aren't even good. The Mets are also not a great road team this year - 32-21 at home, 19-26 on the road. There are some winnable games coming up for the Mets - if they play as well as they have this past week, they'll be OK.

ELTRAN*'S: Beltran* was 2-for-4 on Sunday, so in the 2nd half: 12-38 (.316), 2 HR, 9 RBI, 4 Runs, 1 SB

WRIGHT WATCH: David Wright was 1-for-3 on Sunday - no doubles.
Second Half: 4 Season Total: 26 Team Record: 44

THE KID'S KIDS: No game on Sunday, but the Gulf Coast Mets are 18-8 on the year, 4 games up.

The games in Colorado start at 9pm, and I have a busy week, so there might be in-game updates, or late-afternoon previous day recaps. I'm not quite sure how this will be handled. I apologize for any inconveniences my life my cause.