OFF ON THE WRIGHT FOOT

Mets 6, Braves 3 (NYM: 45-44, 7 GB; ATL: 50-39)

In the past couple of days I've been talking about the Mets recapturing some of that old Mets' magic. Thursday night's game against the Atlanta Braves sure felt like some of the games during the post-season runs of 1999 and 2000, and it was definitely a great way to start the second half of the season.

Kris Benson got the start against Horacio Ramirez - and I have yet to hear exactly why he started instead of the scheduled starter, Tom Glavine. Benson pitched great, and Ramirez pitched well, but more on him in a minute. Benson struck out 7, while giving up 3 runs (2 earned) in 7 innings. I missed how the run was unearned - the run scored on an Adam LaRoche homer - but Benson really pitched well. To be honest, I wasn't sure from the start why Benson wasn't pitching the first game out of the break. I'd much rather him than Glavine, especially given Glavine's past performances against Atlanta.

Future Hall of Famer David Wright was the absolute star of this game. He came in 6-for-8 career against Horacio Ramirez. He added two solo bombs (career home runs number 26 and 27) to that total. A gold star goes to Carlos Beltran* - who got his strong second half off to a strong start with a 4-for-4 performance in a big game. I'm starting to believe the Mets WILL make a playoff run. Here's when you know things are going good. Jose Offerman is not good. He's not. He should not be in the majors. But the Mets trailed 3-2, there was a runner on second base, and Offerman pinch hit for Benson. He singles to left - he always gets a pinch hit lately in clutch situations, and he ties the game.

Then Mike Piazza. All-Star Mike Piazza. He comes up after an unintentional walk to Cliff Floyd and a double by Beltran*. With two on and one out, Piazza flashed back to Mets-Braves 1999/2000/2001 and hit an opposite field homer. He crushed it. Piazza hasn't shown opposite field power like this all year. It's too early to say whether or not Piazza is going to turn it around in the second half, but man did that homer look good.

The Mets did it in the field too. In the fifth inning, Floyd went head over heels into the left-field front row seats in foul territory to snare a pop-up. That was a great catch, drawing MVP chants from the crowd. Then in the eighth inning, after an unsuccessful great play by THE GREATEST BALLPLAYER WHO EVER LIVED, Jose Reyes, (trying to get a runner at third where Wright just missed the tag), the Braves tried a squeeze with one out. The ball was popped into the air, Wright made a diving headlong catch, and then was able to walk back to third base to double up the runner.

I know I'm kind of rambling here, but I'm really excited. The Mets pulled off a great win, when they needed to. Maybe this is what it takes to turn things around against the Braves. To top it off, Washington lost to Milwaukee, so the Mets moved to 7 games out of first (they're also now 4-and-a-half out of the wild card). Philadelphia crushed Florida, so Philly stays a half-game in front of the Mets, and the Mets are even with Florida. Things are not good with the Marlins - they designated Al Leiter for assignment. He is probably going to come out of someone's bullpen before the year is out.

Actually, lots of moving and shaking in the NL East. The Nationals traded for Preston Wilson (who promptly hit a homer in his first game with the team) and also got Mike Stanton. I think Washington is going to slide far and fast. The Mets might have to worry about Philadelphia, but, as I've stated before, the Phillies do not scare me. Might as well give the division to the Mets now. I'm excited. Big weekend ahead. Let's Go Mets.

THE KID'S KIDS: In 15 innings, the Nationals beat the Mets, 5-4. Sounds like it was a good one. I wish they'd televise these games - these kids sound like they'd be fun to watch. 13-4 on the season right now.

P.S. - NESN has started showing the Southwest "ding" commercial I wrote about two days ago.