Apr 26 2006 09:41 PM
Another great game. Brian Bannister gave another maddeningly, frustrating performance, but kept the Mets in the game with both his arm and his bat. Unfortunately, he pulled up lame while scoring on a Kaz Matsui double in the sixth inning. He will be evaluated tomorrow in Atlanta to determine the seriousness fo his injury.
Julio Franco's pinch hit single in the eighth, drove home 2 runs to break a 4-4 tie. Father time then surpassed himself as the oldest player to ever steal a base in MLB. A double by David Wright appeared to seal the Mets victory. Unfortunately, the Mets coughed up a 3 run lead with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. A David Wright throwing error extended the game and set the stage for Barry Bonds to pinch hit as the potential tying run. You didn't need a crystal ball to forsee Bonds' game tying home run.
The Mets showed a stout heart and a resilient spirit in breaking the deadlock with 2 runs in the top of the eleventh innings. The red hot Ramon Castro singled to start the game winning rally and was sacrificed to second by Endy Chavez. Then Chris Woodward doubled Castro home. Reyes promptly added an additional insurance run by driving Woodie home on a single to center.
Darren Oliver pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the eleventh to pick up the victory.
In honor of the resiliency shown by the team in forging their extra inning victory, a case of Cooper's Best Extra Stout. Oh hell, they have an off day tomorrow, so might as well let them savor this victory. So make it two cases of beer.
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