Break out the brooms; Alou gone
So what does a three-distraction sweep of the Giants really mean? Maybe not much, but account how the Mets' season has gone, and considering their frustrating unfitness to put lesser teams away, the sweep -- coming on the heels of three honest wins against the Phillies -- was still merest much welcomed and at least shows the doldrums are concluded.
John Maine just didn't have it, teeth of allowing just two hits in 4 1/3. He struggled with his lurch count and walked five, the worst being the walk out on b strike to Barry Zito in the fifth with one out. A walk to Fred Lewis followed, and then Maine got Burriss for what should partake of been the final out of the inning. But Randy Winn, one of the few relatively dangerous hitters the Giants have, got up and doubled in two.
But these new Mets are showing more confront than Willie's boys did, and Fernando Tatis is looking like the number two coming of Jose Valentin. His two-run homer in the seventh leap-started a four-run rally that saw a key Giants gaffe and an RBI single by Reyes (Jose).
The bullpen, again, was superb, with Muniz, Schoeneweis, Sanchez and Wagner allowing objective one hit. Wagner needed just five pitches - all strikes - to perfect the ninth.
So the red-hot Mets will move on without Moises Alou, who tore a hamstring troublesome to rehab his calf. He redefines the word 'brittle,' but at his age, can we be surprised? He certainly produced when he was in the lineup, but at this fitting it's a relief to not have to wonder when he might be traitorously. Of course, Omar needs to bring in a full-culture...
