Marlins 6, Mets 5

Sometimes it doesn't seem like it, but it's true. A .160 hitter does get on base once in a while. Roger Cedeno proved this right from the start of today's game, as he manged to get on base on an error in the first inning. He then stole second base. It should be noted that replays of both of these plays showed that Cedeno was likely out both times. But the umpires, out of pity perhaps, let him stay on base so that Cliff Floyd could drive him home with a single and give the Mets a 1-0 lead. And just to prove that a .160 actually does get hits every now and then, Cedeno hit a single in the third inning, driving in Jay Bell. Bell started at shortstop in place of Rey Sanchez and gave a decidedly unSanchezian effort, going one for one with three walks (!), as well as a run and an RBI.

Unfortunately, Bell's defensive game was also dissimilar to what one would expect from Sanchez, as the Marlins scored their first run of the game in the fourth inning when former Rookie of the Year turned potential reason to let the pitcher bat eighth Todd Hollandsworth grounded to Bell at short with the bases loaded. Bell was unable to get any out and Juan Encarnacion scored to bring the Marlins within one.

Steve Trachsel started the game for the Mets, and while he pitched well enough through the first five innings, Art Howe uncharacteristically let him stay in for the sixth and he got into some trouble, giving up three runs before Jaime Cerda came in and quickly stopped the bleeding. But the sixth inning was really Roger Cedeno's inning. After looking like a competent major leaguer early in the game, Cedeno played some centerfield like only he can. Derek Lee hit a ball to center and Cedeno took one of his trademark circuitous routes to it, turning an out into a double to break the inning open. After a nice bout of booing, the Shea Stadium faithful broke into a more appropriate chant. "Timo! Timo! Timo!" The score was now 4-2 Marlins.

In the bottom of that same inning, Mo Vaughn got on with a single and Jeromy Burnitz walked. This allowed Bell to get that hit and that RBI I mentioned earlier, singling to left to drive Vaughn home. Scott Strickland came in and pitched a shockingly scoreless seventh for the Mets.

Jay Bell continued to atone for his defensive troubles in the eighth, as he got on with one of his three walks and was pinch-run for by the aforementioned Mr. Perez. Jason Phillips then pinch-hit for Strickland and managed to reach on an error, moving Timo to third. Rey Sanchez ran for Phillips and Roberto Alomar doubled into the gap in right-center, driving them both home. Cedeno came up and promptly grounded out before Cliff Floyd grounded out to end the inning. The Mets had a 6-5 lead and you know what that means. That means it was time to once again test the wisdom of those who say a "dominant closer" is obviously better than the so-called "bullpen by committee" that those lousy stat-geeks are trying in Boston. It was time for the counter-example, Armando Benitez.

I won't belabor the point. Benitez gave up two runs on a pair of hits and a pair of walks. It was his fourth blown save of the season. It was his third loss of the season. I don't want to talk about it.

Tomorrow, Super-Glavine tries to save the day again against Josh Beckett.  ¶ joe | 6:22 PM |