Mets 4, Diamonbacks 3

Steve Trachsel got himself in a little bit of trouble tonight, but managed to minimize the damage for the most part. Trachsel hasn't been spectacular this season, but he's been solid enough to make for a good fourth starter now that Pedro Astacio is back and pitching well. Tonight Trachsel went six innings on 111 pitches, giving up nine runs and two walks, but only three runs, while striking out five. He failed to get the win, as the game was tied when he was taken out, but he certainly got the job done well enough to deserve one.

All the damage was done in the third inning, putting the Mets in an early 3-0 hole, but they came back with two in the bottom of the inning, as the bottom of the lineup got the job done. Mike Piazza led off the inning with a single, part of a three for four night, and Mo Vaughn got one of his four walks on the night. One of them was intentional, and the other three were of the "unintentional intentional" variety, as Miguel Batista apparently remembers that Vaughn's pounded him in his career and wanted no part of him tonight. So Vaughn got on base four times without registering an at bat. But, like I said up there, the newly constructed bottom of the lineup were the ones driving in the runs tonight. Raul Gonzalez tried an ill-advised bunt and Piazza was forced out at third, but Timo Perez and Ty Wigginton, batting seventh and eighth, respectively, followed with singles to score Vaughn and Gonzalez, bringing the Mets within one.

In the sixth, Tony Clark came through again in a pinch-hitting opportunity, hitting for Trachsel, driving in Vaughn to tie the game.

Mike Stanton pitched a scoreless seventh to keep the game tied and the offense went to work again in the bottom half. After Oscar Villarreal got the first two out for the D'backs, Piazza doubled to the gapped, Vaughn got that intentional walk and Gonzalez came through with a double of his own to put the Mets on top, continuing his productive hitting since being called up on Wednesday.

Stanton was perfect in the eighth, and it was time for some drama. Armando Benitez had yet to successfully preserve a one run lead this year, blowing four such opportunities. So of course he walked the first batter he faced. That batter, David Dellucci promptly stole second when Piazza bounced a throw to second base and things began to get really interesting. Steve Finley grounded to the right side for the first on a close play with Benitez covering at first, but Dellucci advanced to third. But Benitez got Craig Counsell to pop out useless to Wigginton and Junior Spivey grounded out to end the game. Benitez got his eight save in twelve chances, tying him for the NL lead, and his first in five tries with one-run leads.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, the Mets try to even up their record at 12-12 as Tom Glavine goes for his fourth win against rookie Brandon Webb.  ¶ joe | 11:01 PM |