If ever a pic was symbolic, then this one probably sums up the Mets’ pitching problems. Despite a pen which can’t get anyone out (just ask the least NL offensive Nationals), Willie Randolph’s club which is trying its best to give away the division still sits in first two ahead of the Phillies with five to play.

Despite Tom Glavine serving up three bombs for the first time all year and a couple of mental mistakes turning it into a seven-run deficit, the Amazin’s nearly pulled one out of the magic hat with a six-run ninth but Carlos Delgado struckout and Paul Lo Duca popped out to end the comeback as they fell 10-9 to the Nats at Shea.

Manny Acta’s ballclub has now taken four of the last five against the Mets whose Magic No. is down to four because the Phils lost 10-6 at home to the suddenly resurgent Braves. Mark Teixeira hit his 15th as a Brave and Chipper Jones hit a two-run shot as Atlant got a huge win. The Phillies had fought back from a 4-1 deficit to take a 5-4 lead but Jamie Moyer and Geoff Geary couldn’t hold it as Atlanta got four in the sixth to take the lead for good.
That’s right. Atlanta who was once written off is just two behind Philly. The problem for them is that the Giants’ pen failed to shut the door on San Diego, who rallied for four runs in the ninth including a go-ahead two out three-run home run from Brian Giles to pull out a huge come from behind 6-4 victory.

It snapped a four-game skid and put the Padres a game up on the Phillies for the wildcard and kept them two in front of red hot Colorado who won a seesaw game 9-7 against the Dodgers, taking their ninth straight. Rookie shortstop Troy Tulowitzki hit his 23rd homer and Todd Helton had three hits and drove in a couple as Colorado improved to 85-72, tying the Phils just a game behind San Diego.

Meanwhile, the Padres are two behind Arizona who fell in Pittsburgh 6-5. That’s the kind of night it was. In the AL, the Yanks failed to clinch their 13th consecutive postseason blowing a 5-0 lead, falling in extras 6-5 to the lowly D-Rays thanks to a walkoff home run from ex-Yank catching prospect Dioner Navarro.

The dinger off Jeff Karstens completed a nice comeback as Tampa improved to 8-8 against New York for the season series. And that right there is why the Yanks won’t be winning another AL East as Boston reduced its Magic No. to three with a win over the A’s. David Ortiz went yard and Manny Ramirez returned after missing 24 games getting a hit and playing five before being pinch run for.

The highlight for the Yanks was Alex Rodriguez’ grand slam for his major league leading 53rd giving him 151 RBI’s for the season.

The lowlight was the Yankee pen as both Edwar Ramirez and Brian Bruney couldn’t throw strikes with a five-run lead giving up six in the sixth with the big blow coming off the bat of journeyman Jorge Velandia whose grand salami was his first career homer to give Tampa its first lead.

Though Derek Jeter remained hot extending his hit streak to 12 straight with an early RBI double and the resurgent Johnny Damon had five of the Yanks’ 12 hits while stealing two bases (25, 26) and scoring two runs, it wasn’t enough because of the pen’s inefficiency.

Torre decided to let some other guys pitch and see who he could consider for the postseason roster. With two K’s in a scoreless eighth, everyone’s favorite Kyle Farn$worth looks like he’ll make the cut. Ron Villone and Jose Veras each worked a scoreless frame and could be vying for spots.

Keep a close eye on Ross Ohlendorf. The 25 year-old former Princeton standout who was drafted in the fourth round by Arizona three years ago before coming over along with Luis Vizcaino as part of the Randy Johnson deal has looked sharp since coming up allowing just a hit (HR) in three-plus while fanning six. His control also hasn’t been an issue walking only one unlike so many other teammates.

If he gets into a couple of more games (why not) with the Yanks needing just one win or a Tiger loss to wrap up the wildcard, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ohlendorf made the cut.

If he performs like he did as part of the Yanks’ rookie hazing where they dressed up like characters from The Wizard of Oz, there will be even more to smile about this October.

In case you’re wondering about the Cubs, they were shutdown by the Marlins and Dontrelle Willis, who went the first eight allowing just two hits (Craig Monroe two-run homer in eighth) while striking out seven for his 10th win in maybe his last start in Florida. He could be on the move this winter along with star third baseman Miguel Cabrera. Some things never change for that pathetic franchise. Even with the two World Series championships, it’s no wonder they can’t get anyone to come to games and were outnumbered badly by Mets fans who made it sound like Shea this past weekend.
The Cubs’ loss allowed the Brewers to cut a game off their lead. They won easily for a second consecutive night in St. Louis slugging four home runs in a 9-1 rout. Prince Fielder hit two more for his NL leading 49th and 50th to become the youngest player at age 23 to ever reach 50. His 50th also helped him make history as the first father/son combo to each hit 50 in a season. Dad Cecil did it with the Tigers in 1990 when he paced the AL with 51.

The Brewers are still alive two back now. But they’ll need more help.

It should be interesting to see how Mets’ pitching prospect Phil Humber fares in a pressure packed start later tonight in his major league debut. Hey. Can he do any worse than Mike Pelfrey and Glavine?

The third overall selection in the 2004 draft went 11-9 with a 4.27 ERA in 25 starts with Triple-A New Orleans this summer. He hasn’t pitched since being recalled earlier this month. So we’ll see how he does.

Does anyone else think the Mets can’t wait not to see Austin Kearns in the batter’s box anymore?