While I was sleeping last night, the Mets opened up a can on the Arizona Diamondbacks, winning 14-1. The game featured two doubles by David Wright. Oh yeah.

I promised yesterday I'd talk about Steve Trachsel and September call-ups. Let's get to that before I forget.

Steve Trachsel is off the DL. He had stayed on the DL as long as legally possible without the Mets facing a grievance. He made every rehab start he possibly could at Triple-A while the Mets started Jae Seo. I've said before, the Mets messed around with Kaz Ishii this season way too much - Seo should have been in that spot in the rotation long ago. The problem is, now that Seo is pitching so well, the Mets have no room for Trachsel. The whispers were that if Victor Zambrano pitched poorly again on Tuesday night, he would be skipped and Trachsel would be slotted in his spot. That didn't happen. For now, Trachsel is in the bullpen, but Willie Randolph says he will only use Trachsel out of the bullpen in an extreme emergency. Asked if he thought he should be treated better by the Mets, Trachsel said, "No comment."

I have an issue with Trachsel here. The Mets are playing well. He should be excited about contributing in any fashion - whether it be out of the bullpen or in the rotation. He hasn't done jack this year, and they've done just fine without him. It's not like he's going to be the make-or-break part of the team. Sure, he can help, and I know it's not his fault he got hurt, but he's being a little selfish, in my opinion. I think he pitches out of the bullpen, strengthens that weakness that the Mets have right now, and then fights during the spring next year to win back his spot in the rotation. Don't be difficult and mess with the great chemistry this team has going right now.

I'll almost be glad if Trachsel doesn't find himself pitching in the big games down the stretch here. I've been saying for a couple of years - Trachsel has been a good pitcher, at times he's pitched great, but he's never had the opportunity to pitch in big situations. The times that he has, I think, he hasn't done too well. So we'll see what happens the rest of the year, but he should take what the Mets give him and be happy with it for the rest of the season. The other thing is, he's unhappy with the way the Mets are treating him right now? How about the fact that he got a second chance with them a few years back after pitching absolutely awfully? Remember when they sent you down to Triple-A to get right, and then brought you back to make contributions at the Major League level, Steve? It's not like they released you or let you stink up the mound in the Majors. Don't have such a short memory.

As for the September call-ups, these could be just the kind of reinforcements the Mets could use as they push for the playoffs. A guy like Lastings Milledge will be brought up, and perhaps guys like Tyler Yates. The Yates types could strengthen the bullpen, and the Milledges will supply bats off the bench. The Mets are going to get younger and stronger down the stretch. It's not only going to be exciting to see these guys play, it will be exciting to see them contribute to a possible Division title or Wild Card berth.

The Mets got off to the best start imagineable on this road stretch - 2-0 against Arizona. Jae Seo goes tonight, and Pedro Martinez* pitches on Thursday. They can definitely sweep the D-Backs before going to San Francisco. This might be the stretch that we point to when we look back on the season and say that's where the Mets realized they could win this thing.

An interesting e-mail before I go:

"JohnnyMets-

With Gary Carter's success as manager at Port St. Lucie, you speculated he might get to go to the Big Game soon. What happens if he gets a managerial post next year with the Atlanta Braves? Who do you root for?

Sincerely,

Your Wife"

First of all, it's "The Show", not the Big Game. It's not Michigan-Ohio State. But good question. I wouldn't think Carter would get the job with the Braves at the Major League level, so I'm not going to worry about that. I would have no problem rooting for Gary Carter to succeed as a manager in the Braves' minor league system. If, hypothetically, he was managing the Atlanta Braves, my time as Gary Carter's number one fan would sadly come to a close.

ELTRAN*'S: Only 1-for-4 in the 14-1 win. 33-122 (.270 AVG.) 3 HR, 15 RBI, 25 Runs, 10 SB

WRIGHT WATCH: 2 doubles on Tuesday night!! Let the doubles tear I mentioned yesterday commence!

SECOND HALF: 12 SEASON TOTAL: 34 TEAM RECORD: 44

WRIGHT NEEDS 10 DOUBLES IN THE TEAM'S FINAL 37 GAMES!!!!

THE KID'S KIDS: Still no word on post-season. A 5-1 win on Wednesday puts the Gulf Coast Mets at 37-16.