Did You Know Reyes Is On Fire?

Don't look now folks, but Jose Reyes has found his stride.

The Mets lively shortstop had his hitting streak ended the other night, but has picked right back up with a stellar game earlier this afternoon. Reyes homered, had a key first inning double, stole a base, scored a few runs and might as well have pitched an inning or two the way things are going.

Reyes is the sparkplug for this team, but the guys behind him (except for one David Wright) are doing a good job of driving him in.

Hey Beltran, Reyes has just about doubled your home run total.

When Reyes is on his game this team is ten times more fun to watch. I do think he needs to take a few extra hours of infield practice, but dont' change whatever he's doing at the plate.

On to San Diego for four more. Let the Reyes good times roll.

Highlights of Pedro Martinez's Return

Welcome Back Pedro, Now Do It Again

Welcome back Pedro. We fully expected you to get a win on this first outing. You're pitching against one of the worst offensive teams in baseball in a cavernous ballpark in a low pressure situation.

Thankfully you pulled through, but don't expect the monkey to be off your back quite yet. Now you have to replicate this effort across another 15 starts.

With the inconsistency that is Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey, (insert other starter here), the Mets need a solid Pedro. I don't expect him to throw a no hitter or strikeout 10 batters in a game, but I do expect him to pitch 6 innings and only give up 3 or fewer runs.

That's a recipe for success. Sure Pedro will blow an outing or two here or there, but by and large he has to be consistent (and healthy) for the Mets to succeed.

And going 2 for 3 at the plate, like he did last night, doesn't hurt either.

It's good to see you again Pedro. Feel free to stick around a bit longer this time.

Send Down Oliver Perez?

There was a debate going during last night's broadcast as to whom the Mets should send down once Pedro Martinez returns tonight?

I think Oliver Perez answered the question in last night's first inning.

Perez proved why he was a "throw in" with Roberto Hernandez back in the 2006 Xavier Nady trade. While Perez has had some great stuff last year, he's fallen back into troubled times this year.

I just read this morning that's he given up 43 runs in 60 innings pitched. I like this guy, and I really want him to do well, but I think he needs to see a psychiatrist.

Rick Peterson isn't getting through to him. Maybe he'll become another Rick Ankiel in a few years. I don't know what to do with Perez, but if the Mets sent him down instead to work on some pitches I couldn't blame them.

Long West Coast Trip

The Mets are showing signs of life, especially Carlos Beltran. So what's the last thing this team needs?

You got it, a long West Coast road trip.

This trip to California could not have come at a worse time. There are no off days this week and the Mets are as banged up as they come and have not had an off day in almost two weeks. They finished the game last night after 11 p.m. and had to fly across the country to play tonight.

This is brutal and the Mets do not need a let down at this point. So to make matters worse let's throw our most erratic pitcher on the mound tonight! Which Oliver Perez will show up? Will it be the 95 mph flame thrower with magic stuff, or will it be Mr. Walk 20 Batters and Can't Make it through the 4th Inning?

We're starting to play well in spite of some injuries. There's no reason why we shouldn't beat up on the Giants and continue this streak. But West Coast trips are rarely kind to the Metropolitans.

This will be a test of their mental strength as much as their physical abilities.

Mets Stay Hot

Jose Reyes is officially locked in (2-5, double, 2 runs scored, SB). David Wright is getting more consistent (3-4, 2 RBI) and Carlos Beltran (another HR) is really heating up. Oh, and Johan threw 7 2/3 innings of 1 run ball giving the Mets their 5th win in their last 6 games.

This, Mets Lifers, is what the Mets are capable of. If these guys continue to play the way they’re supposed to, this team should make the post season. For the first time all year, I’m starting to feel confident in them and I’m looking forward to each new game.

By the way, welcome back Ryan Church, who returned to the starting lineup with a flurry, going 3-4 with a homer and a double. Nice to see…although, I have to admit, he still looks a little groggy, watching him walk around in the dugout. Be that as it may, he didn’t miss a beat and continues to impress.

Perez has to keep it going in San Fran and then hopefully (pray) Pedro can stay healthy and stabilize this rotation.

Beltran's Bat

Don’t underestimate how big that win was yesterday. For 7 innings, the Mets looked like they were reverting to their old selves when they couldn’t get one hit with men on base. All day long, they left guys stranded. As such, it was very frustrating watching them plod along, and look lethargic as Tim McCarver pointed out. When cameras panned in the dugout, you saw that familiar gaze on guys’ faces; lifeless, ready to accept defeat.

Then, Carlos Beltran stepped into the box in the 8th with Wright on second, and launched his biggest hit of the season, a two run bomb that tied the game and ultimately paved the way for the Mets’ second come-from-behind victory in 4 games. We’ve been waiting for that all season.

To say Beltran has been a disappointment this year is an understatement. He’s a cleanup hitter, albeit, not traditional one, with only 4 home runs, before yesterday’s shot. To put that into perspective, Luis Castillo has one less homer, and Jason Werth of the Phillies, hit thee in one game a couiple of weeks ago. So while it’s been a largely disappointing season for Beltran, we all know this guy can go on a binge and carry a team much like Utley and Howard are doing for the Phils right now. We’ve had a nice run here, wining 4 out of 5, with two dramatic wins. In order to sustain this, Beltran has to contribute more consistently and with power. “We are the team to beat,” Beltran proclaimed before the season started. Now is the time for the Mets to be that team, and it is time for Beltran’s bat to carry them.