Mets 8, Rangers 2



Today, as yesterday, all of the attention on the Mets was focused on their brand new shortstop, Jose Reyes. After a terrific debut, going two for four with a double and two runs, Reyes came back with more of the kind of performance you'd expect from a newly 20 year old kid who was hitting .269 in AAA before he was called up, going hitless in four at bats. He did provide a sparkling defensive play, though.

But again, the real story among the Mets' forced youth movement was none other than Jae Seo. For the fourth consecutive start, Seo went at least seven innings against one of the top offensive teams in baseball, giving up two or fewer runs. The streak of giving up two or fewer in six or more innings stands at five. Tonight, in one of the best hitting parks in the league, against a lineup with names like Everett, Blalock, Rodriguez and Palmeiro, Seo went seven innings, giving up two runs on eight his and a walk while striking out six. He earned his fourth win, and his third in as many starts, while lowering his ERA to 2.88. Seo entered the game seventh in the National League in ERA. He is now sixth, in a virtual tie with Mark Prior. Seo is clearly one of, if not the top candidate for the National League Rookie of the Year award. I can't wait to see all the half-year awards columns talking about how he's been the lone bright spot on the Mets' dismal season.

Luckily for Seo, who three starts ago held the Braves to one run over seven innings and still didn't get a win, the Mets offense came alive again in the friendly confines of the Tiny Ballpark At Arlington. Cliff Floyd was the offensive star of the show, going three for four with a home run and five RBI, raising his season totals to 13 and 39. Jeromy Burnitz went two for four with a double and two RBI. Tony Clark got a rare start at first base and added a solo home run. At the top of the lineup, Roger Cedeno, Timo Perez and Roberto Alomar each got on base twice and scored twice. Perez had two hits, while Cedeno had a hit and a walk and Alomar hit a double and was hit by a pitch. The Mets seem to be drawing fewer walks lately that they had been earlier in the season, and in fact have dropped to a tie for eighth in the league. The team's improved plate discipline seemed to be one thing that Art Howe had impacted positively this season, and I was hoping to see it rub off on Reyes. I hope the Mets can get back to their walking ways.

Tomorrow is the Mets' third and final game in Texas before heading to take on the World Champion Angels in Anaheim. Al Leiter (6-3, 5.21) tries to rebound from a terrible start on Sunday against Colby Lewis (4-4, 8.08). That ERA pretty much speaks for itself, but Lewis is also trying to rebound from a poor start, as he gave up seven runs in three innings to the Expos on Friday.
  ¶ joe | 1:08 AM |