The New York Mets beat the Florida Marlins 5-3 on Tuesday night.  Johan Santana pitched well and the Mets scored just enough that they were able to hold on and get the win.  It was just the Mets second win in nine games, but it was a good one, and for at least one night this Met fan left the ball park happy. 

There was a shake up in the Mets line up last night, manager Willie Randolph said “Give me players that want to play,” and he put together a line up that was without Carlos Delgado.  I believe it was a good move by Randolph to bench Delgado on Tuesday night.  According to New York papers, it was Delgado’s occasional defensive indifference that played a role in Willie benching him.  Randolph said he told Delgado that he has to “pick it up” and that Delgado was not happy about what Randolph had to say.  Good job by Willie because as it turns out, it was all about the bench guys last night.  Fernando Tatis played right field going 2-3 with 2 RBI and a stolen base, Ramon Castro was 2-3 with 2 RBI, Damion Easley played first and 1-3 with an RBI that came on a sac fly in the first.  Both Tatis’ and Castro’s RBI came with two outs, something the Mets have trouble doing. 

Johan Santana was good again last night, giving the Mets what they needed, and was their stopper once again.  Santana pitched 7 innings, giving up 8 hits, three earned runs, two walks, and 7K’s   He did allowed a homerun to Cody Ross.  That was 12th homerun Santana has allowed this season, he gave up 10 all of last year.  Duaner Sanchez pitched a scoreless eighth and Billy Wagner retired the side in order in the ninth.  

All in all the Mets did play much better last night.  Maybe it was a clear sign to them that Carlos Delgado was sitting on the bench and that Nick Evans was playing the field, a contrast between an indifferent veteran and an eager rookie.  That is all us Mets fans are looking for, guys who want to play the game.  Yes, ok, we’d like some wins too, and last night we got one.  

The Mets and Marlins wrap up the rubber game of the series tonight.  First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.  Oliver Perez will pitch for the Mets and Scott Olson will throw for the Marlins.  

 Mets Blog