Defeat the Empire

Above is the 2005 New York Mets gravestone. Last night, they died.

Take this quote from me on July 24th: "I wouldn't have sent Benson out there for the eighth...if he struggles to get through the fifth inning Friday at Houston because of his high pitch count today (125?) those are much bigger pitches than 4-0 in the eighth against LA."

Damn, do I look smart today. Benson struggled through 5.1 innings at Houston and gave up three home runs as the Mets lost to surging Houston for the second straight night, 5-2, to fall games behind Houston with a sweep being a realistic possiblity.

The only real bright spot for the Mets was more success from journeyman reliever Juan Padilla, who contributed two more scoreless relief innings. He hasn't allowed a run in 7.1 innings since being recalled from Norfolk, where he dominated International League batter to the tune of a 1.44 ERA. This guy's looking like quite a find.

The hot rumor last night had Manny Ramirez go to the Mets in a three way deal involving Tampa and Boston. Here was the supposed trade:

Mets Get

OF Manny Ramirez from BOS
RP Danys Baez from TB

Red Sox Get

1B Aubrey Huff from TB
OF Mike Cameron from NYM
RP Aaron Heilman from NYM

Devil Rays Get

SP Yusmiero Petit from NYM (AA)
OF Lastings Milledge from NYM (AA)
C Kelly Shoppach from BOS (AAA)
SP Anibel Sanchez from BOS (AA)

I don't like this trade form either a Mets or a Red Sox perspective. I will break down the trade later on and give my opinions the deal.

Ownage

The Angels are the true 'daddies'. In eight games against the Yankees this year, Anaheim is 6-2. Even last night, with a rookie starting, off of a bullpen-depleting 18-inning loss to Toronto, facing the Yanks most consistent starter Mike Mussina, Los Angeles still dominated. They took the lead in the second inning and never coughed it up.

Johnny O Heroics

Even when he was a Yankee, I had a hard time disliking John Olerud. As a matter of fact, I still loved him in pinstripes, like I do with Al Leiter right now. But it certainly sweeter to see my old favorite Mets hitting Grand Slams in a Red Sox uniform than it was watching him seemingly put the nail in Boston's coffin during Game 2 of last year's ALCS.

Curt Schilling nailed down his fourth save but retiring two consecutive batters in the ninth to end the game. He finally looks like he can contribute in 2005.

Boston won, and the Yankees lost. "Doesn't get better than that." With the win, Boston moved 2.5 games ahead of the Yankees in the AL East, and is two up in the loss column.

Today's Schedule

Angels (Byrd, 9-7, 4.10) @ Yankees (Chacon, 1-7, 4.09), 1:20 PM

Twins (Lohse, 7-9, 4.45) @ Red Sox (Wells, 8-5, 4.57), 7:05 PM

Mets (Glavine, 7-8, 4.69) @ Astros (Pettitte, 8-7, 2.73), 7:05 PM

Other Notes

-Two trades went down yesterday: the Orioles shipped OF Larry Bigbie to Colorado for OF Eric Byrnes, and the Padres sent 1B Phil Nevin to Arlington for Texas SP Chan Ho Park.

-The Jets opened camp yesterday, and two keys remain unsigned: rookie K Mike Nugent, and DE John Abraham, who's holding out for a new contract. The Jets have tendered him a franchise tag, which he has yet to sign.

-Twins CF Torii Hunter injured an ankle and is out for 4-6 weeks. This hurts the Twins, who are already struggling for runs.