Mets Morning News: Duda Plays Hero By Crashing The Braves' Chipper Jones Lovefest

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Friday night was Chipper Jones night at Turner Field in Atlanta, a tribute to one of the greatest trolls in New York Mets' history. As you likely know, the team's longtime nemesis is hanging up the spikes after a Hall of Fame career and years of killing the Mets. So it was a nice consolation that the Mets were able to defeat Chipper's club 3-1 on the night of his own celebration. Jon Niese, in his final start of his breakout 2012, tossed seven strong innings in front of a sellout crowd in Atlanta. Niese finished 2012 with an excellent 3.40 ERA in a career best 190.1 innings over 30 starts. The Mets' offense came in one fell swoop, a line drive three-run home run to right field off of the bat of Lucas Duda, his 15th on the season. Justin Hampson and new closer Bobby Parnell finished off the game with a scoreless inning each, ruining Chipper Jones night forever. In a way, it seems as if it was just how Chipper Jones would script it on the opposite side. Hopefully he enjoyed that irony.

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Game two in Atlanta sends Chris Young to the hill against lefty Mike Minor. As incredible as it sounds, the start will be Young's 20th of the season for the Mets. You can catch all of the action on SNY tonight starting at 7:10 PM.

With his season over, Niese has been scheduled to have the heart procedure that he put off earlier this year. The procedure should be quick and it will correct the rapid heartbeat he's had in the past. Speaking of surgeries, Dillon Gee threw off of a mound and was very satisfied with how he did.

You want more R.A. Dickey mania? You've got it. Here's R.A. reflecting on a special moment during his 20th win. Meanwhile, Dickey's 20th was a meaningful moment in Citi Field history. Dickey says that he still hasn't come down from Cloud 9. Finally, Howard Megdal compares Dickey's season to other historical Mets' pitching seasons and you'll probably be surprised where it ends up.

Of course, not everything around the Mets is rainbows and sunshine. The team posted their third consecutive decline in attendance. What's worse is that thanks to the their settlement with the Madoff trustee, ownership will not receive $67.3 million in settlement money that was distributed.

Yesterday At AA

Here's the Storystream for Friday night's 3-1 victory over the Braves.

James Kannengieser puts out the penultimate edition of This Week In SNY (Part Two).

Matthew Callan writes about the convergence between R.A. Dickey's story and his outstanding pitching.

This Date In Mets History September 28th looks back at the final day of the 2008 season when the Mets Shea'd Goodbye.

Around the NL East

Good news, everybody: the Phillies have been eliminated from playoff contention! The Marlins defeated Philly 2-1 on a Carlos Lee walk-off single. Meanwhile, Edwin Jackson got rocked, as the Cardinals crushed the Nationals 12-2.

Around the Majors

Homer Bailey of the Reds became the 7th pitcher this year to throw a no-hitter in last night's 1-0 victory over the Pirates.

In the playoff race, the White Sox beat the Rays to move within a game of the Tigers in the NL Central.

Terry Francona and the Indians have both confirmed that the former Red Sox and Phillies' manager is a candidate for the team's managerial job vacated by Manny Acta.

Darwin Barney's 141-game errorless streak came to an end last night just three outs away from setting a new record for a second baseman.

Great news for Athletics' starter Brandon McCarthy, who will starting throwing today and expects to go through a normal offseason.

Here's a pretty cool catch made by Blue Jays' starter Chad Jenkins.