The most accurate assessment of the Mets right now might just be a 500 team. They started the season going on huge streaks in both losing and winning directions and since the last losing streak, the Mets have steadied at 500. Some days they look so good that they are going to go on to win 30 of the last 35+ games and then other days, like last night, they look like they might not ever win again. The Mets were back to looking like a winning team today as they got good starting pitching, good timely hitting (the timely part being the key and the difference from last night) and they got some good bullpen help to close the door on the Astros and take the home series.
The second inning brought great returns for the Amazin's as they finally capitalized on walks. David Wright started the inning off with a walk and was moved to third by Ike's 24th double of the year. Thole then followed that up with a walk and Hernandez struck out. So the stage was set for Dickey to come up with the bases loaded and one out. He became the first in what feels like forever to take advantage of the situation and stroke a ball up the middle (which to be fair, should have been at least one out) as two Mets scored. A Pagan groundout would then score Thole. Luis Castillo later singled Dickey home, only to caught stealing for the third out.
From that moment on the game was all Mets. The Astros scored one run back in the next inning and later in the game Thole smacked his second homer of the year out of the park, and that would be the end score of 5-1.
Pitching was the story for the Mets again today as Dickey through a great 7+ innings of work allowing only one run and he was relieved by Parnell (who for some reason is still the 8th inning pitcher) who got a double play, put himself in trouble and then got out of it and then the game was finished by Takahashi.
Next up for the Amazins will be the Braves as the Mets leave Queens in hope to find some luck on the road.
