The First Mets No-Hitter Applesauce: JOHAN IS A MAN--A MAN WHO HAS THROWN A NO-HITTER!

JOHAN IS A MAN!

8,020 games. It took 8,020 games for A MAN to take the hill for the New York Mets. Many "men" have stepped on the mound in a Metropolitan uniform. A group of manly men that includes the likes of Tom Seaver, Dwight Gooden, Dave Mlicki, Al Leiter, Steve Trachsel, Sid Fernandez, Jon Matlack, Chris Schwinden and a pair of aging Takahashi's. But there is but one man who can truly say that he IS A MAN! And that man is Johan Santana. The Mets won 8-0. Johan Santana threw a no-hitter, walking 5 and striking out 8. It took 8,020 games. But it was certainly worth the wait.

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Johan couldn't have done this without some help. Despite throwing a no-hitter, Santana did not have his greatest command, evidenced by the five walks. He got plenty of help from the offense, who scored 8 runs on 8 hits. Lucas Duda hit yet another home run. Johan was aided by 3rd base umpire Adrian Johnson, who called a Carlos Beltran line drive foul, despite replays showing that it indeed hit the chalk in fair territory. And of course, he got some help from his friend Baxter--Whitestone's Own Mike Baxter, who sacrificed his body to make an outstanding sprawling catch while crashing into the left field wall:

He may have injured himself on the play but it's okay, because Baxter is our little gentleman and we'll take him to foggy London town because he is our little gentleman. Johan tossed 134 pitches, the last one being this beauty of a changeup to strike out David Freese to seal the Mets' first ever no-hitter:

JOHAN IS A MAN! JOHAN IS A MAN!

Choose Your No-Hitter Recap: MLB.com, ESPN NY, Daily News, New York Times, Associated Press, Star-Ledger

R.A. Dickey is scheduled to take the mound as he looks to throw the Mets' second no-hitter in as many days. In the event that it rains, it looks like Jeremy Hefner would take the start in his place. The Mets will face Cardinals' playoff hero Lance Lynn, who's off to a great start in the team's rotation. You can catch all of the action on PIX11 at 4:00 PM.

Josh Thole was activated off of the DL before today's game and reliever Elvin Ramirez was called up from Buffalo. In exchange, the Mets optioned Rob Johnson to AAA and designated Chris Schwinden for assignment.

Before the start of last night's game, word came from David Wright that he will not discuss a contract extension during the season. While that may sound like bad news, let's not forget that the Mets have control of David through 2013 with their team option, so negotiations could certainly take place over the offseason.

Zack Wheeler has been excellent in AA and Toby Hyde passes along some Wheeler links, including video of his last start. Excellent stuff there. The MLB Draft is just two days away and the mock drafts are flying in, as some new names are being linked to the Mets. And finally, the FSL All Star team was named yesterday and it features seven PSL Mets.

Finally, while interviewing Dickey in the Mets' locker room, SNY's cameras captured an unidentified Met player's naked Dickey. How ironic.

Around the NL East

The Phillies beat the Marlins 6-4 in a rain-soaked affair at Citizens Bank Park. But you know what they didn't do on this night? Have a pitcher throw a no-hitter.

Michael Morse was activated from the DL by the Nationals on Friday and the slugger will slot into their lineup after missing the first two months of the season. The Braves and Nats were rained out in Washington, however, so his debut will have to wait a day. Of course, we know that Michael Morse will not be throwing a no-hitter anytime soon.

Around the Majors

After reports came out that the Red Sox were definitely shopping Kevin Youkilis, GM Ben Cherington said that those reports were inaccurate.

Nyjer Morgan knocked in his first RBi in 138 plate appearances in 2012. RBI's are pretty stupid stat in that they really don't mean much when counted up but wow, that's still pretty incredible.

Mark Prior is still kicking around the minor leagues and he was promoted up to the Red Sox's AAA team yesterday.

Are relievers melting down more this season than in prior years? Paul Swydan at Fangraphs takes a look into this.