Eleven runs? Four home runs, including one apiece for Jason Bay and Josh Thole and two for Justin Turner? Just a triple shy of the cycle for Thole? Where did this offense come from and more importantly, can it stick around a little longer? The Mets shockingly rocked Tommy Hanson on their way to a rain-soaked 11-7 victory over the Braves, putting two more runs on the board today than they have combined over their last five games.
Jon Niese struggled in this one, getting knocked around for five runs in the third inning but still picked up the win, once again showing the uselessness of the win/loss record. The Met bullpen set the Braves offense down for the most part and the offense tacked on some important late runs.
The rubber game of this series takes place tomorrow at 1:10 PM and can be seen on SNY locally, as well as on TBS nationally. Dillon Gee takes the hill for the Amazins', while oft-mentioned potential Beltran trade prospect Mike Minor will get the start for the Braves, in place of the injured Jair Jurrjens.
Around the NL East
The Phillies won their ninth straight game, as Cole Hamels threw a complete game seven-hitter and they defeated the Giants 2-1. In case you didn't realize it already, that pitching staff is ridiculous.
The Rockies ripped apart Livan Hernandez and the Nationals, winning 15-7 on Saturday night.
The Marlins lost 2-1 to the Cardinals. Older than dirt manager Jack McKeon disputed the first play of the game, a would-be catch by Mike Stanton that was ruled to have hit the ground. This contested call led to McKeon lobbying for more instant replay after the game, a shocking development considering change is typically the work of the devil in the eyes of the older baseball folk.
Around the Majors
Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio is in stable condition after undergoing surgery on the fractured vertebra he suffered after getting hit in the head with a ball on Friday. In case you missed it or didn't see the video, here it is.
Buster Posey is making progress in his rehab from a gruesome ankle injury.
Former Met Hisanori Takahashi is going to take a spot in the Angels starting rotation after pitching in the pen all season.
Finally, the Astros gave a wheelchair accessible van to a paralyzed young man who they took in the 40th round of June's draft. Buddy Lamothe was injured in a diving accident shortly before the draft.