The Benchwarmers

It was one of those games where it was becoming increasingly evident that it just wasn't meant to be. Down 1-0, two outs, two strikes, an all-star closer on the mound, and Damion Easley at the dish. Could one have realistically hoped for Damion Easley to go deep?

Once again, the genius of Omar Minaya is proven. Every season he gets older veterans, and I say: "Omar, have you lost your mind?" And every one of these players come in and contribute in a major way, and I can't complain anymore. I've made a living out of complaining, and Omar Minaya has neutered me like I was a lost dog that turned up in Bob Barker's complex.

Damion Easley, come on down! You're the next contestant on "Metstradamus is Wrong!"

Yes, I once compared Damion Easley to a Twinkie. After tonight, I'm convinced that Damion Easley definitely has nutritional value...he's good for you!!! And he's good for us. A two out, two strike home run to tie the game off Brian Fuentes is good eatin', and the Mets remain in first place after a 2-1, 12-inning victory.

And the 2 was just as good as the 1, as the Mets won the game on a drag bunt by Endy Chavez with second and third and two outs. A drag bunt with two outs is the baseball equivalent of a hook and lateral with eighteen seconds left on a fourth and 18. But Endy was smart enough to realize how far back the second baseman was playing and knew he could pull it off. He still had to hit that slop that Ryan Speier threw, and he did it to perfection.

And speaking of Ryan Speier, nice freakin' balk! That shouldn't be lost on us because without it, Shawn Green doesn't go to third base, and Endy Chavez's bunt doesn't win the game but merely extends it, if he even decides to bunt at all. So good job tripping on your spikes, Ryan (which I assume would be different than "trippin'" on your spikes, which is illegal in 15 states).

***

Speaking of Rocky III (which I was a couple of days ago), you think Carlos Beltran saw Mike Cameron coming at him instead of Shawn Green when they were both going after Troy Tulowitzki's RBI triple off of Billy Wagner? Seemed like he pulled up just a hair on it...and who could blame him if that was the case.

But the real question is this: Is Shawn Green fast enough to get to the same spot that Carlos Beltran did? Or is Shawn Green too slow to catch a ball that was closer to him than Beltran? I'll choose "B" and that's my final answer.

***

My brother informed me that former Met and current Blue Jay Jason Phillips has two stolen bases this season.

He stole them, however, after everyone had gone home. Toronto police are hoping that he'll return them in a timely matter.