-The Mets lost a marathon 14 inning affair to the Cards 10-8 at Shea. A game which featured 18 runs, 37 hits and a preposterous 55 runners left on base took over five hours to decide with more than 53,000 rooting on the first place club in Queens. Despite two Carlos Delgado home runs and Fernando Tatis’ tying dinger in the ninth off St. Louis closer Ryan Franklin, the Amazin’s fell short due to Albert Pujols going yard off the last man standing Aaron Heilman for a two-run shot for the Cards’ first homer of the night. The final Met reliever predictably ran out of gas in his third inning finishing with 57 pitches (41 strikes). Try explaining that to a few Met fans who still want to kill one of their best setup men for what was an understandable loss.

New York had plenty of opportunities for someone to be the hero in extras but stranded all seven runners including the bases loaded on walks in the 12th before Tatis grounded back to Kelvin Jimenez. They went quietly in the 13th and 14th allowing Brad Thompson to pickup the win in relief. That he hails from Vegas seemed appropriate given how crazy this game was which featured 16 pitchers (eight apiece) and 24 position players plus ex-Met closer Braden Looper as a pinch hitter for the opposition.

Met manager Jerry Manuel summed it up best:

“We had chances, we just couldn’t push it across. It was just one of those nights.”

Still, the Mets showed plenty of resiliency after falling behind immediately 4-0 as veteran Brandon Knight struggled before steadying the next four while teammates picked him up even getting the lead on Jose Reyes’ 12th dinger. The Cards cameback with a four-run sixth off three Met relievers to go back ahead 8-5. But the big bats of Delgado and Tatis made it a very long night and ride home for supporters who stuck it out.

-The loss dropped the Mets’ division lead to a game over both the Marlins (3-2 in 12 over Cubs) and Phillies, who used a seven-run fifth to rally past Atlanta 10-9. Greg Dobbs slugged the go-ahead pinch hit three-run home run which allowed the slumping Phils to overcome a nine-run Brave fourth in which they shelled ace Cole Hamels. He was charged with all nine with five unearned due to a couple of errors including by Chase Utley and himself. It didn’t matter because six Philly relievers combined to shutdown Atlanta the rest of the way tossing five and a third scoreless with closer Brad Lidge going 1-2-3 for his 23rd save.

The Marlins got two solo homers from Jeremy Hermida and a Jorge Cantu run scoring double which plated Hermida for a 3-2 extra inning win in Wrigley. They’ve taken the last two from the Cubs with the fourth game later today.

-Meanwhile up in Beantown, the Yankees ran their perfect post All-Star mark to 8-0 by defeating the Red Sox 10-3 at Fenway. Trailing on two early runs, they used a Bobby Abreu RBI single and a Robinson Cano solo shot to tie it. Center fielder Melky Cabrera then manufactured a run by beating out a bunt down the third baseline, swiping second and then coming around to score on Johnny Damon’s two out base hit in the fourth.

They broke the game open with a four-run sixth including a Derek Jeter RBI single, an Abreu RBI two-bagger followed by an Alex Rodriguez run scoring base hit. Though All-Star MVP J.D. Drew went deep for his 19th in the sixth, the Bronx Bombers poured it on with three more off Craig Hansen highlighted by the hot hitting Cano’s two-run double as they pulled within a game of the wild card while remaining three behind Tampa, who prevailed 5-3 in Kansas City.

Andy Pettite rebounded from a tough opening inning working six allowing three runs (1 ER) while walking three and fanning seven in improving to 12-7. Four Yankee relievers including new lefty Damaso Marte (0.1 IP, 1 K) held the Sox to one hit over the final three frames.

Also debuting in left field batting seventh behind Cano was Xavier Nady, who took the collar in three trips with a walk and caught stealing.

-The hottest Yankee has been Cano, who after a dreadful first half which saw him hit just .246 has erupted to go 18-for-35 (.514) with three home runs and 10 RBI’s. Interestingly enough, the 25 year-old second baseman has done his best work in the second half hitting .341 following the break the past three campaigns. To hear Damon tell it, the timing couldn’t be any better:

“The All-Star break came at a good time for this team. Robinson was able to gather his thoughts. He was swinging the bat well. He’s a big reason we’re on the streak we’re on now.”

The Yanks are clicking on all cylinders and will aim for the sweep and a tie for the wild card if Sidney Ponson can outduel Jon Lester later tonight.

-The Brewers won for the 10th time in 11 scoring two each in the seventh and eighth including a tying Ryan Braun homer along with a Bill Hall go-ahead single and run scored as they rallied to defeat the Astros 6-4 pulling into a tie with the Cubs for the NL’s best mark. Both teams are 60-44 with 58 left.

-The Rockies used a four-run fifth to get past the Reds 5-1 for their fourth win in a row pulling to 11 under (47-58) and remaining six behind Arizona, who took their second straight over the Giants 5-3 to stay a game in front of the Dodgers (6-0 over Nats). NL ROY runner-up Troy Tulowitzki had three hits including the game-winning RBI single for Colorado. For the Diamondbacks, ace Brandon Webb went seven innings of three-run ball allowing four hits while walking two and striking out eight for his 14th win. The former Cy winner who eclipsed 1,000 career strikeouts was overshadowed by second-year Giant star Tim Lincecum, who struck out career high 13 while allowing two runs in seven innings.

-The Yanks just had a huge win over the Red Sox holding on for a 1-0 shutout in the first of three at Fenway to pull within two of the defending world champs for the wild card. Pending the result of Tampa-KC will determine if they’re within a couple for the division. At last check, the Rays led the Royals by a run in the seventh.

Joba Chamberlain went a career high seven innings baffling the Red Sox on just three hits while walking only Mike Lowell in the fourth and striking out nine on 103 pitches to pickup his third win (second as a starter). Just how brilliant a performance was it for the 22 year-old out of Nebraska? He retired the final 10 batters against one of the best hitting lineups, who even without Manny Ramirez (sat out) are lethal. David Ortiz returned tonight finishing with one hit in four at bats.

The story was Chamberlain, who outdueled Boston ace Josh Beckett, whose only mistake was a Jason Giambi infield single to short with the shift on allowing Bobby Abreu to come in from third for the game’s only run back in the third. The Yanks got plenty of base runners getting nine hits off Beckett but couldn’t tack on any insurance runs putting the pressure squarely on Joba’s shoulders. He was up to the challenge getting stronger as the night wore on mixing a filthy 87 MPH slider with his high 90’s heater and curve. He finished strong striking out rival Kevin Youkilis, Lowell and then got All-Star Game MVP J.D. Drew to fly out to right before departing for Kyle Farnsworth.

Farnsworth entered on a roll having tossed nine straight hitless innings but Red Sox rookie shortstop Jed Lowrie halted that with a leadoff single to right. After the Yankee setup man got struggling catcher Jason Varitek to harmlessly pop out to Derek Jeter, he had some tough luck when Boston center fielder Coco Crisp hit a roller up the first baseline. With first baseman Richie Sexson charging, a hustling Farnsworth beat him to it trying to pick up the ball and tag Crisp but instead missed him allowing for an infield hit.

With two runners on, skipper Joe Girardi didn’t mess around immediately signaling for Mariano Rivera for a five out save against the future Hall of Famer’s toughest foe. Even with a chaotic atmosphere, it didn’t matter as Mo did the job getting rookie Jacoby Ellsbury looking at a perfect outside cutter and then getting pesky second baseman Dustin Pedroia on a comebacker to end the threat.

After the Yanks went in order against Boston’s Hideki Okajima, Rivera still had to pitch to the heart of the order. First, he won the battle against Big Papi getting the big slugger to pop out to Abreu. It wouldn’t come easy though as Youkilis lined an inside heater through the hole to left. But with the tying run on, the Yankee closer buckled down against Lowell winning a classic battle.

After the World Series hero had foiled four cutters by fouling them off, Rivera finally came in and got the benefit of the doubt from plate umpire Marty Foster, who rang up the furious veteran third baseman. An animated Lowell protested getting in Foster’s face before getting the heave ho. Judging from the replays, it looked like he had a beef as the ball seemed to be just off the inside edge but catcher Jose Molina framed it to get the call.

Rivera still needed one more out and got it by dialing up two picture perfect outside cutters freezing Drew to give the Yanks their seventh win in a row out of the break. They’re now 57-45 and trail Boston (60-44) by just one in the loss column.

In Game Two tomorrow afternoon on Fox, the red hot Andy Pettite takes on veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. The third game on Sunday Night Baseball features Sidney Ponson against Jon Lester.

-Meanwhile, the Bronx Bombers also were making headlines off the field as well. Those rumors according to WCBS’ Suzyn Waldman proved true about Brian Cashman finally going out and addressing two needs by acquiring outfield slugger Xavier Nady and lefty reliever Damaso Marte from the Pirates in exchange for four minor league prospects including OF Jose Tabata, SP George Kontos, SP Phil Coke and RP Ross Ohlendorf.

The move makes plenty of sense, especially with Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada likely going under the knife ending their seasons. No question the Yankees needed to add another big bat and acquiring the 29 year-old Nady is a good move. The one-time Met who was packaged for Oliver Perez a couple of years ago was hitting .330 with 13 home runs and 57 RBI’s in 88 games with the Pirates this season. The former Padres’ 2000 second round pick has developed into a solid right handed hitter, which was exactly the Yanks’ need. He should fit right in supplying more pop as a five or six hitter.

Marte, 33, was originally a Yankee farmhand before going onto a solid eight-year MLB career with three other teams including as a key late inning reliever for the 2005 World Series champion White Sox. In his second stint with the Pirates, the Santo Domingo native was doing the job. In 47 games this season, he’s 4-0 with a 3.47 ERA recording five saves while fanning a batter per-inning (47 K’s in 46.2 IP).

Marte will be asked to fill the void as the lefty reliever for the Yanks further solidifying an improving pen which has seen Farnsworth flourish in a more distinguished role while Jose Veras and Edwar Ramirez have been steady contributors.

As for who went the other way, the 19 year-old Tabata was once considered to be one of the Yankee jewels in their system believed to have five tools. After a solid 2007 hitting over .300 with five homers, 54 RBI’s and 15 steals, he struggled in Trenton this season falling to .248 with three dingers, 36 RBI’s along with 10 steals in 79 games. In fact, his early season struggled were so bad that he went home for a couple of days to regroup. He hadn’t played since the beginning of July. Now, the Pirates get him as the centerpiece along with solid Double-A starters Kontos and Coke.

The 23 year-old Kontos is a Northwestern product who the Yanks tabbed in the fifth round in 2006. In fact, I covered his first pro season out here with the Staten Island Yankees where it was pretty apparent why they liked him. He possesses a low-90’s fastball along with a nasty curve and slider. He was one of the top Penn-League pitchers helping the Baby Bombers repeat as champions with an outstanding Game 3 performance which saw him escape a bases loaded jam to toss six shutout innings while fanning an impressive 11 for the team’s fourth championship.

After making some negative headlines for an off field incident prior to last season, Kontos battled an injury plagued 2007 in Tampa making 17 starts while posting a 4-6 record with a 4.02 ERA while fanning more than a batter-per-inning (101 in 94 IP). Elevated to Trenton this season, Kontos has pitched in bad luck posting a 3-9 record with a 3.77 ERA in 20 starts. In 107 and a third, he’s allowed 97 hits while walking 43 and fanning 103.

If there’s an area he needs to improve on, it’s not giving up the long ball. Last season, he served up 15 while this summer he’s given up 11. It couldn’t have helped that he struggled this month going winless in four outings with a 6.05 ERA. Part of the issue was his walks were up issuing 10 in 19-plus while permitting 21 hits and K-ing 19. Before this month, Kontos had three good months.

For the most part, his control was an issue in college but the Yankee staff helped fix the problem which has seen him continue to strikeout batters at a high ratio. If he continues to develop, there’s little doubt that he’ll make the majors. As someone who covered this former NYPL All-Star, he was fun to watch pitch and always a good quote in the locker room.

I’ll definitely miss Kontos and be pulling for him with his new organization.

The other SP the Pirates got was 26 year-old Coke, who has had a solid season with the Thunder posting a respectable 9-4 mark with a 2.60 ERA in 19 starts. That included a complete game shutout- a rarity in the minors or even baseball itself. So, the Sonora, California native who’s allowed 103 hits in 114.1 IP while walking 38 and striking out 109 bears watching as he’s closer to the majors than Kontos.

The prior season in Tampa, he went 7-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 16 starts fanning 76 in 99 frames while also notching a shutout. Coke’s a former 2002 26th round selection. It’s worth noting that Pirates’ All-Star center fielder Nate McLouth was selected in the 25th round in 2000. So, there is such thing as late bloomers to the cynics who believe if a player doesn’t make it by a certain age, they never will.

Also included in the deal was the 25 year-old Ohlendorf, who originally was part of the Randy Johnson deal. The former Princeton star never distinguished himself struggling mightily with the Yanks with over a 6.00 ERA while allowing 50 hits in 40 innings, walking 19 and serving up seven long balls before getting sent back down to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre. Maybe the Pirates will be a good change for the Austin, Texas native. If not, chalk it up to overhype.

-Update: Tampa prevailed over Kansas City 5-3 to pull a game up on Boston remaining three ahead of the Yanks. Carlos Pena’s 16th homer in the ninth (2-run variety) proved to be the difference as the Rays won for just the fourth time in their last 10.

-The Mets are now in first place in the NL East after scoring two runs in the home eighth to beat the Phillies 3-1 at Shea on Kids Day. Carlos Delgado continued his resurgence by knocking in the two go-ahead runs delivering a clutch two out two-run double down the left field line plating both Robinson Cancel and David Wright, who was intentionally passed over to get to the first base slugger. Though Delgado was only 2 for his previous 17 against Phils’ lefty reliever J.C. Romero, that really couldn’t be factored into pitching to the Mets’ hottest hitter in such a crucial situation. Honestly, I think I would’ve walked him also and gone after switch hitting center fielder Carlos Beltran, who doesn’t have the best reputation deliver in big spots and frequently keeps the bat on his shoulder. Not surprisingly, the numbers bare it out:

Beltran 2008 Situational Splits

Particularly with men on base and two outs, the $16 million man is not doing much. Not only would it have been a more calculated move but Beltran hardly has any power from the right side with only two of his 15 home runs and 17 of 70 runs knocked in coming from that side. Sure. He doesn’t face as many lefties but who would you rather have beat you? A sizzling Delgado or a fragile Beltran, who seems to always fail in these situations? It’s a no-brainer.

-The Amazin’s had to also be extremely pleased with Oliver Perez, who has continued to dominate lately. This time, he went seven and two thirds permitting just Jayson Werth’s seventh inning tying dinger on six hits, intentionally walking one and fanning a season best 12 with half that impressive output coming against Chase Utley and Ryan Howard (three apiece). Perez did a good job pitching out of a couple of jams getting Howard swinging to end one threat. He also got some help from winner Aaron Heilman, who came in and got Werth to fly out harmlessly to Beltran leaving the bases loaded in the top half of the eighth.

-The Phils did a poor job with runners on base stranding double the amount the Mets had: Phi-12, NYM-6. Early in the contest, Utley and Howard failed to get a runner in from third both whiffing. Left field slugger Pat Burrell also didn’t get the job done in another frame popping out to shallow left with one out. It’s no wonder manager Charlie Manuel wasn’t pleased with his club’s performance as they have now dropped all four series to the Queens club posting a 4-9 record with a couple of series left:

“Something’s not in tune. We have to pick it up. I don’t know if it’s hungry enough. I haven’t put my finger on it, but we have to get after it more. We don’t now have that extra kick, the kick we used to have.”

-By contrast, Jerry Manuel gave high praise to his resilient club who not only battled back from a seven and a half game deficit but bounced back in a big way taking the next two games responding to Monday’s debacle:

“I’m very proud of the way this team bounced back after that game the other night. We’ve been resilient for a long period of time.”

Under the new skipper, the Mets boast a 21-12 record and have won 13 of 16 to lead the Phillies by a game and the Marlins by two after Florida fell to the Cubs 6-3 at Wrigley.

-One other disturbing note from the Phils was that Jimmy Rollins was scratched by Manuel due to arriving late at the ballpark for the early 12:10 start. That’s inexcusable and not the first time the 2007 NL MVP has been sat down. Replacement Eric Bruntlett had a solid game finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles off Perez. It’s hard to comprehend why J-Roll would be late for such an important game. Perhaps Manuel’s onto something in his assessment about his team not having that extra edge as they did last year.

-Also lost in the defeat for Philadelphia was an outstanding performance from veteran southpaw Jamie Moyer, who allowed just a run on two hits while walking three and striking out six in seven innings of work on 91 pitches. What more could they have asked for from the crafty 45 year-old out of Pennsylvania who continues to defy logic? I realize he’s pretty old but don’t you think the decision to have Romero start the eighth was a mistake? Moyer had baffled the Mets all day. You’re telling me he couldn’t get a couple of more batters? Sure. Romero’s been a reliable late game reliever for Manuel. Just maybe Moyer should have remained in this one time. Always easy to second guess here.

-Condolences go out to Mets’ starter Pedro Martinez, who lost his Dad Pablo Jamie to brain cancer at the age of 79. The three-time Cy Young winner arrived back home in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic yesterday to pay respect to his old man, who he said was “a great support to me from the beginning of my career.”

Martinez was tonight’s scheduled starter versus the Cards but obviously won’t return to the mound for the first time since July 12 with instead Mike Pelfrey going on regular rest.

-The Warriors signed guard Monta Ellis to a six-year $66 million deal. No shock here as the 22 year-old former 2005 second round steal is finally ready to assume a leadership role with Baron Davis gone to the Clippers. After improving leaps and bounds in his second season, Ellis continued his emergence averaging a career high 20.2 PPG along with five boards, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals. He also shot a very efficient 53.1 percent from the field.

-How is signing former Florida Gator long range bomber Anthony Roberson going to make the Knicks any better?!?!?!?!?!

-Now that he’s lost early in Toronto in three sets to Gilles Simon, should Roger Federer be concerned about his top ranking? If Rafael Nadal figures out the hard courts, look out.

-The Mets rebounded with a 6-3 win over the Phillies thanks to Jose Reyes game breaking three-run homer in the home sixth off reliever Ryan Madson grabbing a share of the division lead with the rubber match this afternoon on Kids Day with Oliver Perez opposing Jamie Moyer. Twice, the Phils rallied from early deficits against John Maine, getting back-to-back homers from Shane Victorino and Geoff Jenkins plus a Jimmy Rollins RBI double. Maine settled down to go seven permitting just the three runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts for his ninth victory- first since June 25 versus Seattle.
The Mets got a lift from closer Billy Wagner, who returned from a stiff shoulder after a night off retiring his former team in order for his 25th save in 31 chances. Met fans who might get a little nervous when he takes the mound for the ninth, please not what tonight’s hero Reyes said of the veteran:

“He makes it easy.”

As for Billy The Kid, he was happy to get back out there despite some aching:

“Of course you feel it, but I was able to stick with it. If I can compete, I’ll be out there. The training crew, they deserve a lot of this credit. They were fantastic. They deserve a lot of the credit just to get me out there.”

Nice to see the chatty lefty who’s closed out 383 games pay due respect to the trainers as they play a key role in any locker room.

If the Amazin’s can get today’s game which starts a little after 12, that will be four consecutive series from their nemesis. It should be fun to see what happens.

-Props to second baseman Damion Easley, who at age 39 continues to defy logic by hitting the ball well. In fact, as WFAN talkie Steve Somers pointed out during an interview, “You had to set a record with those three infield hits for oldest player.”

The Schmoozer has to be right. How in the world are the Mets a better team with Luis Castillo, who’s here another four years as DL fodder? Plus rookie Argenis Reyes has been a solid defensive backup who boasts much better range.
-Down in South Florida, the Marlins were routed by Atlanta 9-4 preventing a three-way first place tie. Gregor Blanco and Yunel Escobar each drove in three runs and Tim Hudson tossed six shutout frames striking out a batter per inning before leaving with an injury. Chipper Jones also left early due to a left hamstring strain. The veteran third baseman was 0-for-2 with an RBI but is still pacing the Senior Circuit with a .369 average. Remarkable.

-C.C. Sabathia continues to dominate for Milwaukee this time going the distance in a 3-0 blanking of St. Louis to pull the wild card-leading Brew Crew two games ahead of the Cards. J.J. Hardy and Ryan Braun hit solo shots and the former Cleveland southpaw who won the AL Cy last year three-hit St. Louis walking a pair while K-ing seven. He tossed 106 pitches with 71 going for strikes. In four starts since switching leagues, he’s a perfect 4-0 with a 1.36 ERA completing three games and even hitting a home run. Is there anyone who still believes this wasn’t the right move for the Brewers even though they parted with a package which included top prospect Matt Laporta???

-Matt Holliday drove in a pair as the Rockies defeated the Dodgers 5-3 for their sixth win in seven making much traveled veteran southpaw Glendon Rusch a winner for the fourth time this season. I didn’t even know he still pitched. Brian Fuentes closed it out for save No.17 as Colorado improved to 45-58 which is now good enough to trail first place Arizona (50-51), who fell at home to the Cubs 10-6 by six games. The Dodgers meanwhile at three under (49-52) remained a game out. What a division. Who thinks I’m still crazy for believing the Rockies will comeback to take it?!?!?!?!?!?!

-The Red Sox got three runs in the 12th highlighted by a two-run Mike Lowell single in a 6-3 triumph over hapless Seattle sweeping the series to remain three up on the Yankees for the AL wild card. In a big series, Boston now gets a day off to travel back East to Fenway where they’ll host those red hot Yanks for three beginning tomorrow.

-Don’t look now but the Brewers have won seven in a row and sit just a game in back of the Cubs for the NL’s best record.

-Man. I don’t know about you but what the heck did the Hawks do so wrong after taking the eventual NBA champion Celtics seven to watch valuable sixth man Josh Childress leave for Greece?

-Final thought. Who decided that Wendy Williams should become a TV host? Just saying.

-The Yanks continued to roll earlier today defeating the Twins 5-1 at the Stadium sweeping the three-game set improving to a perfect 6-0 since the break. Rookie left fielder Justin Christian broke a scoreless tie with a two-run fifth inning double. That was enough support for veteran righty Mike Mussina, who continued his bounce back season tossing eight scoreless scattering six hits walking none and striking out seven to improve to 13-6 lowering his ERA to 3.26. The Yanks added three more runs in the sixth thanks to a two-run double by Alex Rodriguez plus a Richie Sexson sacrifice fly. After relief failure LaTroy Hawkins permitted Minnesota’s only run in the ninth, Mariano Rivera came on to get the final out striking out Jason Kubel looking for his 25th save.

-The Yankees couldn’t gain ground on the Rays, who edged the A’s 4-3 in St. Pete thanks to a solid eight and a third from James Shields allowing three earned before veteran Troy Percival got the final two outs for his 20th save. Johnny Gomes his his eighth home run and shortstop Ben Zobrist drove in a pair with a solo shot and RBI single which proved to be the difference.

-AL WC leader Boston is scoreless with Seattle in the second inning. They lead the Yanks by two and a half pending today’s outcome.

-The AL Central division leading White Sox got a multi-homer game from slugging first baseman Carlos Quentin, who slugged No’s 25 and 26 including a go-ahead three-run job in a five-run eighth as Chicago came back to defeat Texas 10-8. Quentin now leads the AL homers and his 76 rank second 22 behind major league leader Josh Hamilton, who took the collar in four trips whiffing three times. Chicago leads the Twins by two games.

-John Maine looks to get the Mets back on track against Brett Myers in a couple of hours at Shea after last night’s ninth inning debacle. It’s no secret that Johan Santana should have been in there to start the ninth. Though he only has six career complete games, yesterday was a situation which called upon the 29 year-old Venezuelan to go the distance. It didn’t sound like he was out of gas based on his answers following the game but Santana wouldn’t second guess Jerry Manuel. Most great pitchers want the ball in that spot. He threw the same amount of pitches (105) that a 10 year older Moose tossed earlier today in eight. The Mets needed to go for the jugular there.

-The base running mistakes by Endy Chavez getting tossed out at the plate twice thanks to faulty third base coaching from Sandy Alomar didn’t help which wasn’t the first time the latter erred. How does he still have a job? Neither did Phillies’ All-Star second baseman Chase Utley’s diving snag of a Fernando Tatis line drive to help his team escape a bases loaded jam in the seventh, which turned out to be the play of the game.

-If the Rockies can win again over the Dodgers, they’ll put even more pressure on Arizona. Who thinks the Cubs are getting swept?

-Update: Kevin Youkilis’ two-run third inning double has Boston ahead 2-0 over the Mariners.

-Listening to WFAN’s Tony Paige in his monologue of one of the worst Met losses and the overnight host is absolutely dead on about Johan Santana not being left in to start the ninth inning against the division rival Phillies. The Mets led 5-1 at one point until the former Twins’ AL Cy winner gave up a solo shot to Philly center fielder Shane Victorino in the seventh. Still, the Met ace on this night pitched like one getting through the eighth with a three-run lead intact. In fact, he had thrown just 105 pitches. You had to figure he had something left to maybe even finish what was the biggest game of the season at a packed Shea with first place up for grabs. Instead, on a night when he didn’t have Billy Wagner available (shoulder tightness), Jerry Manuel opted to pinch hit for Santana. Instead, he turned it over to Duaner Sanchez.

Paige took note of the intro of the AP game recap. One which is worth repeating:

When Jimmy Rollins saw New York reliever Duaner Sanchez come out to pitch the ninth inning instead of starter Johan Santana or closer Billy Wagner, he went straight to the batting tee to stay loose.

It didn’t matter that he was due up sixth and the Philadelphia Phillies trailed by three runs. He thought they had a chance.

The ever optimistic NL MVP was right.

You’d think by now some managers would learn. Especially when Wagner wasn’t around to close it out which meant Manuel was banking on Sanchez to come through in a different role. Instead, the setup man failed miserably giving up three straight base hits loading the bases forcing the interim skipper to pull him for second-year reliever Joe Smith. Smith closed games for the Single-A Cyclones a couple of years ago. Truthfully, it wasn’t his fault that Jose Reyes on a grounder missed the second base bag allowing a run to score and everyone to be safe. Still, he was out of the game replaced by lefty Pedro Feliciano. He’s been a fixture in seventh and eighth situations usually against lefties. Don’t believe me? Check the splits entering last night:

vs left .222

vs right .324

-The Yanks made it four straight out of the break last night cruising to a 12-4 win over the Twins. It was their eighth consecutive victory at the Stadium and kept them on pace with the first place Rays and Red Sox, who both also won. The Bronx Bombers hit three home runs including No.21 from Alex Rodriguez- a two-run shot in the home first. Robinson Cano continued his second half revival clocking his eighth finishing with a couple of hits, a couple of runs and two knocked in raising his average to .260. Team captain Derek Jeter even belted a solo shot for his sixth also driving in a pair as the Yanks knocked around the Twins tying them in the wild card standings with each now 55-45. It all came in support of Sidney Ponson, who went five and two thirds of three-run ball walking and fanning a couple en route to his fifth win.

-In other team related news, Jorge Posada’s season could be done as the veteran catcher who’s been battling a rotator cuff problem all year might need to go under the knife which would end his season. If both he and outfielder/DH Hideki Matsui both have surgery, it would further hurt a lineup which has struggled this summer lacking consistency. Though they did get back valuable leadoff man Johnny Damon, who went 1-for-4 with a double and run scored last night. If Posada is out, Brian Cashman might need to explore picking up another backstop to backup Jose Molina. Add that to a long list of needs which include another big bat, a starter and a lefty reliever.

-The Mets and Phillies get ready for their three-game series which begins tonight at Shea with Johan Santana taking on newly acquired Joe Blanton. Both are tied atop the NL East a game ahead of the Marlins, who got shutout 4-0 last night by Atlanta. Not many have given the south Florida team a chance to win the division yet they continue to hang around with roughly 10 weeks to go. If they continue to stay afloat, that young ballclub could start believing they can shock many and pull this off. The lineup is certainly potent enough with big bats Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, Mike Jacobs and Jorge Cantu. The question is do they have enough pitching? We’ll find out if the organization is willing to do what it takes to win.

-Mets closer Billy Wagner underwent an MRI which showed that he has a muscle spasm in his left shoulder. He felt the tightness while warming up the other night to close out the Reds by K-ing the side. If he misses any time, expect Jerry Manuel to give the ball to Duaner Sanchez.

-Do we really need to know that A-Rod signed with William Morris agency for his off the field stuff? When is enough enough?

-I liked Jeremy Shockey as I’m a huge Hurricanes fan and enjoyed what he brought to the Giants. However, all the tight end’s childish antics got tiresome and that’s why he’s no longer playing in New York. They probably won’t miss him much in that locker room but it remains to be seen if that will be the case on the field when they begin their Super Bowl defense.

-The Yanks continued to play well out of the All-Star Break edging the A’s 2-1 on Jason Giambi’s seventh inning solo shot (20th) sweeping the three-game set in the Bronx allowing Joe Girardi’s club to get within four and a half of the Rays, who fell at home to the Blue Jays 9-4. Andy Pettite continued his turnaround outdueling AL All-Star Justin Duchscherer going eight innings allowing just one earned on four hits while not walking a batter and fanning nine to pickup his 11th victory.

The rival Red Sox are currently knotted at two apiece in the sixth looking to avoid a sweep in Los Angeles versus the Angels. A loss would allow the Bronx Bombers to pull within three of the wild card.

Giambi finished a perfect 2-for-2 reaching base all four times with a couple of walks along with the deciding home run to right off Duchscherer, who entered 10-5 with a 1.82 ERA. Once a key late inning reliever for Oakland, the 30 year-old out of Aberdeen, San Diego has made a seamless transition to the rotation becoming the team’s most reliable starter. Before this season, he had only started five games in his career with a couple coming with Texas back in 2001. A couple of years ago, he even saved nine games while fanning nearly a batter per inning (51 in 55.2). Now, he’s the ace of their staff with Rich Harden (Chc) and Joe Blanton (Phi) dealt to NL contenders for more prospects.

If only his team had a semblance of an offense. Somehow, they’re four over .500 (51-47) but trailing the Halos by eight and a half pending the game out West.

Maybe the A’s were just what the doctor ordered for the Yanks, who haven’t hit the way expected with Hideki Matsui possibly needing knee surgery and leadoff man Johnny Damon on the DL for the first time in his career pushing to return. It’s not like they scored a ton of runs the past two days following a 7-1 win in the opener. But they did what they had to to set the tone for another second half October drive.

Only with two teams in their division ahead of them making it an even more difficult challenge over the next couple of months.

-Meanwhile in Cincinnati, the Mets avoided losing three straight to the Reds by coming back to pull out a 7-5 10 inning win. Their hottest starter Mike Pelfrey didn’t have it today giving up three homers (entered with only four allowed all year) including Edwin Encarnacion’s tying fourth inning blast rallying the Reds from 4-1 down and All-Star second baseman Brandon Phillips’ sixth inning go-ahead solo shot. But resurgent first base slugger Carlos Delgado drove home the tying run the next half inning with a runscoring single making extras a possibility.

Though the Amazin’s blew a chance in the top of the ninth with Carlos Beltran caught stealing third, they took advantage of the only miscue of the game committed by Encarnacion, whose throwing error allowed call-up Robinson Cancel, who doubled as a pinch hitter to score the winning run. It also let Jose Reyes advance to third and score an insurance run on a Delgado sac fly.

Billy Wagner struck out the side in the 10th including blowing an elevated heated past rookie center fielder Jay Bruce for his 24th save allowing the Mets to tie the Phils for first once again because they fell to Florida 3-2 on a Jorge Cantu walkoff base hit.

The Mets will host the Phillies for a huge three-game series at Shea starting Tuesday with ace Johan Santana going against new Phillie pickup Blanton. The other series match-ups include returning Brett Myers from a Triple-A stint facing John Maine and a battle between old and young lefties with crafty vet Jamie Moyer taking on Oliver Perez.

Winning the last two games, the Marlins sit half a game back and will play host to the struggling Braves for three beginning tomorrow.

-With four hits, his 33rd stolen base and 11th triple of the season, Mets shortstop Jose Reyes now has a club record 63 three-baggers for his career surpassing Mookie Wilson. Forty have come in the past three years.

-It’s too bad about Greg Norman shooting a 77 to finish tied for third in the British Open after making a bid to become the oldest PGA player to win a major. Oh well. The dream ended but he still has had a good year marrying former American tennis star Chris Evert. Padraig Harrington might’ve repeated as British champ but the comebacking 53 year-old part-time golfer was the story of the weekend. He made it interesting without Tiger.

-Interesting story written in today’s Sunday News by Filip Bondy on David Beckham’s MLS impact where attendance and jersey sales are up and included more than 46,000 at Giants Stadium to check out the second-year British star’s Galaxy battling the Red Bulls to an entertaining 2-2 tie last night. It’s a good read.

-I hope when I see Dark Knight this week, I’m as blown away as everyone else was by the late and gone too soon Heath Ledger’s Joker.

-You know. All the talk about Ledger’s performance and then dying sort of reminds me of Brandon Lee in The Crow. Only difference was he died while shooting a scene when they discovered that those weren’t blanks near the dramatic conclusion of one of the better movies I’ve seen. What ashame that Sarah played by the promising Rochelle Davis never returned to another set again following his tragic death. As good as the acting was by everyone in the only Crow there should’ve been made, she was great as the victim’s younger sister and looked to have a bright future. Such was the impact of Lee’s death on the young actress.

-With the Knicks playing in Las Vegas for their usual summer tournament, this is the high for Knick fans. Where running the table last year and winning the championship was universally celebrated. Not exactly the vision of a third NBA title every normal local hoop fan had in mind.

-It’s already been a week too long without Bobby Murcer.

-The Yanks got a big win coming from behind to pull out a 4-3 victory in 12 innings. Joba Chamberlain gave up only a run in six innings while fanning eight. Mariano Rivera came into a tie game and allowed a go-ahead Ryan Sweeney RBI single to the opposite field. He’s allowed of five of six runs when entering in tie game this season. But the Yanks got off the deck helping out their best player by rallying to tie with two outs. Jason Giambi drew a leadoff walk but pinch runner Justin Christian stumbled while having second stolen and was tagged out. Then Jorge Posada grounded out weakly to first for the second out against A’s closer Huston Street. But when it seemed over, hot hitting Robinson Cano laced an opposite field double to keep it going. Down 0-2, the much criticized Wilson Betemit delivered the tying it by waiting on an offspeed pitch and going to left field allowing Cano to come in. The Yanks nearly won it when Melky Cabrera hit a single to put runners on the corners but rookie Brett Gardner popped out. A couple of innings later, Cabrera was robbed of the winner on a sparkling diving catch by right fielder Carlos Gonzalez going full extension. Pinch hitter Richie Sexson struckout swinging to end it. Getting great relief from Edwar Ramirez (2 scoreless, 4 K’s) and rookie David Robertson (1 scoreless, K), the Yanks finally won it by loading the bases in the 12th and watching backup catcher Jose Molina get plunked by Lenny DiNardo forcing in the winner. It gave them a huge come from behind win making it only the second instance this season the Bronx Bombers have rallied after eight innings when trailing. Their record now is 2-40 in those situations.

-The Mets had their 10-game win streak snapped last night falling to the Reds 5-2 with another ineffective outing from John Maine. Though they lost a game to the Phils in the standings, it looks like they’ll have a chance to tie them again for first cause at last check, Philadelphia was trailing the Marlins 7-4 with Florida threatening for more. The Marlins have three homers including No.24 from Dan Uggla. Pat Burrell also has his 24th for the Phils.

-The Red Sox are clinging to a 2-1 lead out West against the Angels in the seventh. The Halos have the bases juiced with one out against Josh Beckett.

Update: A bases clearing double from rookie shortstop Erick Aybar makes it a four-run inning which was started by Vlad Guerrero’s 16th to lead it off. Boston entered a half game behind Tampa, who ended their seven-game skid with a 2-1 last night over the Blue Jays. They’re five ahead of the Yanks for the wildcard.

-Excuse me but I thought Greg Norman stopped playing competitive golf. Somehow, he takes a two shot lead into the final round of the British Open trying to become the oldest major champion in PGA history at 53. I always was a big fan of him. So here’s hoping he finds a way to close the deal on Sunday.

-Coco Crisp just made an amazing acrobatic catch against the wall going full out to rob an Angel of another hit and RBI. He was hobbled. Tremendous play which definitely will make Baseball Tonight’s web gems.

-We’re headed to the ballpark by the Ferry Terminal to check out the Verrazano rivalry between the Cyclones and first place Staten Island Yankees. See ya later!

-The Mets cameback to pull out a 10-8 win scoring four times in the ninth with one out against Reds’ closer Francisco Cordero to win their 10th in a row pulling into a first place tie with the idle Phillies. Even with ace Johan Santana laying an egg by giving back a 2-0 lead off the bat of Carlos Delgado while permitting five in the fourth including two more homers allowed (that’s 16 people), it didn’t matter because the Amazin’s kept battling back against a hapless Cincinnati staff getting a two-run shot from Fernando Tatis which tied it a couple of innings later. David Wright had gotten it started with a two-run single in the fifth. Appropriately, the Mets’ third baseman would get the huge tying hit after the Reds went ahead, going the opposite field off Cordero for a two-run shot (No.18). Sadly, even though Cordero entered with good numbers, anyone who knows the game knows he can’t be trusted. That Wright was allowed to hit his third best pitch (a fat slider) for the tying dinger summed it up. The Amazin’s then strung together four more consecutive hits including a go-ahead Delgado RBI single to left followed by a Tatis double which capped the comeback. Billy Wagner retired the Reds in order for his 23rd save.

-With there only being eight teams in action on the first night back from the All-Star Break, the Phillies bolstered their rotation by overpaying for A’s starter Joe Blanton coughing up a couple of top prospects including pitcher Josh Outman, second baseman Adrian Cardenas and outfielder Matt Spencer. How did Oakland get so much for a pitcher who was 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA and 12 dingers served up?!?!?!?!?! They got garbage for Rich Harden from the Cubs but that’s cause he’s a DL spot waiting to happen. The Phillies better hope Blanton is rejuvenated coming to the Senior Circuit.

-I’ve said it before that I never bought Santana as the best pitcher in the game. Most of my buddies argued it but come on. There’s no debating this. The former Twin who won two AL Cy Youngs is living on his past reputation. He’s still a quality starter who can go seven or eight but let’s face it. He’s now given up 49 home runs in the last year and a half. Far from what you expect from the “game’s best.” I’ll take Brandon Webb, Roy Halladay, Jake Peavy, Josh Beckett and Carlos Zambrano over him. Just remember. The Mets are paying top dollar for the next few years when Johan will be in his 30’s. Think he’s going to be worth it?

-The Yankees agreeing in principle to sign Mariners’ failure Richie Sexson is just another quick fix. If it works, they got him for nothing. In all likelihood, it won’t and they’ll still have to go out and acquire another big bat.

-Does anyone think Luis Castillo would’ve come through with that big one out basehit that rookie Argenis Reyes did in that spot?

-Kyle Lohse is now 12-2 with a 3.35 ERA for the Cards after winning again working seven solid innings permitting a couple of runs. It just proves once again how good a pitching coach Dave Duncan is. Bet the Phils didn’t bank on that happening.

-3B Trade comparison:

Troy Glaus (Stl) 95 GP, .279-17-61*
Scott Rolen (Tor) 70 GP, .267-6-28

*hit 2 HR tonight

How does J.P. Riccardi keep his job?

-The folks over at Hot 97 get it about the overblown Jesse Jackson comments and had some interesting observations about oil and gas prices being way up with President George W. Bush in office. Coincidence? If you think so, then hey. The tooth fairy must be real instead of imaginary.

Just my two cents.