Mets 7, Astros 4

Pedro Astacio made his first start of the season and gave a boost to the back end of the Mets' starting rotation by looking a lot more like the Astacio that established himself as a potential staff ace in the first half of last year than the one whose ERA looked like it must have been compiled at Coors Field in the second half. He pitched six strong innings on just 85 pitches, giving up two runs on just four hits and a walk while striking out four.

The new Met outfield contributed offensively in a big way for the second straight night, going four for nine with two walks, one run and three RBI. Raul Gonzalez was the catalyst again, going two for three with a walk, run and RBI. And Roberto Alomar continued his hot hitting from the left side of the plate in the leadoff spot, going two for three with pairs of doubles, walks, runs and RBI, raising his offensive numbers to .296/.400/.432. Mo Vaughn continues to lead the team in RBI, getting his 13th and 14th of the season on a pair of groundouts.

Scott Strickland pitched two scorless innings in relief. Jaime Cerda had a rought night, giving up back to back solo home runs to Lance Berkman and Jeff Kent in the ninth, which turned the game into a save situation for Armando Benitez, who retired the final batter to earn his seventh save in eleven tries.

Everyone in the division won tonight, so the Mets are still in last place, three games out of three-way tie for first, but they're now at 10-12 and have won three consecutive series after the nightmare in Puerto Rico. Tomorrow, one of three NL teams who've scored fewer runs than the Mets, the Diamondbacks, come to town for a three game series, and the Mets will miss at least two of their top three starters, with only Randy Johnson potentially pitching on Sunday.

Also, I think I can take down the "Mets Centerfield Watch" now that the forces of reason have emerged victorious and landed Roger Cedeno on the bench. It was fun while it lasted... Wait, no it wasn't. It was painful while it lasted and I'm glad it's finished.

Blame the brevity on this post on my staying up to watch the five overtime Stars/Ducks marathon. At least justice was finally served at the end.  ¶ joe | 2:02 AM |