Marlins 0, Mets 4

Florida’s Josh Beckett vs. NY’s much-maligned Aaron Heilman looked to be a mismatch on Friday night. Improbably, it was Heilman, with a major league career record of 3-11 prior to this game, who pitched as though he were one of the league’s best, holding the Marlins to one hit and two walks. After a miserable 0-5 start, the Mets have rebounded to win 5 straight, two of ’em on complete games from Pedro Martinez and Heilman.

Mike Piazza has shown few signs that he’s still the right guy to hit cleanup so far this season, so his 2 for 4, 3 RBI, two doubles output for the night was encouraging. Nonetheless, I suspect he’ll be hitting 5th of 6th by June.

Florida’s Carlos Delgado, who spurned the Mets during the off-season, was hitless, charged with two errors on a routine grounder in the 5th, and was booed by the Shea fans throughout.

Tomorrow’s Pedro Martinez/Al Leiter faceoff is sold out. I cannot recall the last time the Mets’ 5th home game of the season was fully booked in advance.

Hideo Nomo’s line for the night against Boston :2 IP, 5 hits, 8 earned runs, a grand slam to David Ortiz (above), 73 pitches …and a few withering glances from Lou Piniella that said “retire, already.”