Celebrating their first sweep of a 4 game series in 5 years, the Mets ran their record to a season-high 7 games over .500 with last night’s victory at the Church Of The Subgenius Stadium. Though taking a no-hitter into the sixth, Pedro Martinez walked 4 and was falling behind Arizona hitters from the begining of the night. Martinez’ pitch count hit 100 in his final inning, in which he allowed hard singles to Tony Clark and Luis Gonzalez ; his ability to survive that scare was slighty less improbable than Robert Hernandez’ high wire act in the 7th, in which the D-Backs ran themselves out of the inning after having Royce Clayton (lead off triple) on third and Quinton McCracken on first (HBP) with none out. Though Hernandez allowed a line drive HR to right off Chad Tracey in the 8th, New York made the lead stand up, Braden Looper setting Arizona aside with a rare (for him) 1-2-3 9th inning.
The Mets also continue to get tremendous results from guys that no one would’ve predicted to be factors in a playoff race last spring, Victor Diaz’ solo HR and sacrifice fly in the 2nd and 8th innings respectively, the latter run set up by Mike Jacobs’ opposite field single which moved David Wright to 3rd base. Jacobs appeared halfway human on Thursday (no HR’s, dragons slayed, diseases cured), but still displayed the sort of poise which has been in short supply from Mets first basemen this season.
I would like the local Chamber of Commerce and advertising standards councils to be aware that the “Knife & Fork Footlong Chili Cheese Dog” on offer at the Phoenix home of Arena Baseball, does not in fact, come with a knife or fork.