-And so, the New York baseball season is over and it really does feel weird that both the Mets and Yankees won’t be playing meaningful baseball as October gets ready to hit. I just can’t remember what this felt like. Sure. The two teams both finished with identical records winning 89 games which meant they didn’t stink by any stretch but when you have the kind of payrolls they do, so many expectations come with it for this spoiled city which makes it all the more disappointing.

In the end, both teams despite big names proved to be flawed which was why they fell short in their postseason bids. Injuries aside, the Yankees didn’t have enough pitching or timely hitting. For some reason, they never hit the way they could’ve and too often couldn’t deliver in the clutch. That along with being a very streaky team which sometimes lacked energy kept them from putting together that run with their best ball coming way too late when the season was already lost.

The Mets also had their share of injuries but severely underperformed the first 10 weeks getting Willie Randolph axed before waking up under Jerry Manuel to get back in the race. Despite no pen to speak of, they persevered and once again were in great position to win their division before it all came crashing down in the final couple of weeks though not as badly as last year. While the pen could never be trusted and cost them a ton of games, what was most baffling was the offense which at times disappeared. How do you explain getting shutout 1-0 against the majors’ worst team the Nats? And what about scoring only five runs in the do or die weekend series against the same Marlins who danced on their field eliminating them last year? Questions will continue to linger about David Wright and Jose Reyes until they stop disappearing and carry this team back to October and beyond.

Now, it will be a long offseason for Omar Minaya with plenty of angry customers wondering why next year will be different at Citi Field. Getting a real second baseman while unloading Luis Castillo along with revamping the bullpen are just a couple of topics he must address with new record closer Francisco Rodriguez at the top of the list. It’s also likely Pedro Martinez pitched his final game as a Met after struggling mightily. And then there’s Oliver Perez, who will be seeking a deal in the neighborhood of $12-16 million per year under greedy agent Scott Boras$. Is he really worth that kind of money longterm? I say no. He’s just too unpredictable to get to that next level. What about Carlos Delgado? Do they pick up the $12 million option rewarding him for his brilliant second half or do they try to get younger going for better defense? If they let him go, it won’t be easy to replace his big bat.

As for the Yankees, they will need to decide on center field moving forward along with what they intend to do with Joba Chamberlain. If they make him a starter, then they must continue to shore up their pen. Bringing back 20-game winner Mike Mussina should be at the top of Brian Cashman’s list. Figure Andy Pettite to either retire or go elsewhere following a dismal second half. The Yanks of course need a real ace and should be in the running for C.C. Sabathia, John Lackey or A.J. Burnett with him expected to opt out of Toronto. There’s also the first base situation where they could be competing with the Angels and Mets for Mark Teixeira. Figure Jason Giambi to go elsewhere after a productive season proving he can still be a valuable DH somewhere. As for Bobby Abreu, he’s a solid run producer who gets on base but leaves something to be desired for in right which is why we see Xavier Nady shifting.

Whatever transpires over the next three months, New York baseball fans know full well their rosters won’t look the same following a quiet October.

Get ready for chaos.

-Just in case we forgot, there’s still one more regular season game to be played later today when the Twins visit the Windy City against the White Sox, who earned the one-game home playoff by getting a grand slam from overlooked rookie second baseman Alexei Ramirez in an 8-2 win over the Tigers in a makeup game Monday. They get the game despite winning their first in six thanks to the Twins dropping two of three to the Royals despite sweeping three from Ozzie Guillen’s club to pull half a game up. It’ll be John Danks going on three days rest against Nick Blackburn to decide the AL Central for the final playoff berth.

One team will advance to play the Tampa Bay Rays in the Division Series while Boston travels to California to meet the 100-win Angels.

The NL of course is all set with the Cubs taking on the Dodgers while the Phillies host the Brewers, who are in their first postseason in 26 years.

We’ll have more playoff stuff later on.

-It’s hard to choose one between each but our pick for NL MVP would be Ryan Howard for how he carried the Phillies the final month having one of the best Septembers eerily similar to when he clubbed 58 home runs and knocking in 149 to win the award two years ago. I’ve always been a huge fan of Manny Ramirez and he sure stepped up carrying the Dodgers in the final two months impacting their lineup while coming back to win the NL West. But it’s hard to pick him over Howard with how well the first base slugger finished leading his team to a 13-3 record over the final 16 pressure packed games in a very tight race.

-The same could be said for the NL Cy Young where worthy candidates like Johan Santana, Brandon Webb and Tim Lincecum all are in the running against Milwaukee rental Sabathia, who tossed a remarkable seven complete games pacing the league while turning in a money performance following Santana’s gem to get the Brewers in. For that, we’ll give the nod to Sabathia over Lincecum with Santana third and Webb fourth.

-AL MVP is a little easier and could depend on if the Twins win with Justin Morneau once again in the running against Boston tandem Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis. It’s hard to ignore Carlos Quentin’s impact with the White Sox, who haven’t been the same since he went down. To be honest, he would’ve been a lock had he not broken his wrist. If the Twins get in, Morneau should win his second MVP in three years this time edging another do everything infielder Pedroia, who resembles a young Derek Jeter. If not, give the award to Pedroia because he’s been his team’s best player since the Manny trade.

-As for AL Cy Young, Cliff Lee should get the nod handily edging out K-Rod, Dice-K and Roy Halladay. I know he won’t get a lot of consideration but Moose deserves a few votes for how well he pitched in the Bronx this year.

-What else can Joe Girardi be two-faced about and purposely hide from the media?

-It’s nice to see Brett Favre finally be allowed to open it up and get on the same page with Laveranues Coles, who caught three touchdowns for the first time in his career- half of Favre’s career high six in the Jets’ 56-35 win over Kurt Warner and the Cards. I just wonder if Gang Green fans can be pleased about their D turning a 34-0 halftime cushion into a game by allowing three straight TDs in the third quarter before Favre and the Jet offense put it away.

-Did anyone ever think the Bills and Titans would both be the only remaining unbeatens in the AFC looking like playoff locks?

-How come Terrell Owens always blames Dallas defeats on not getting him involved enough when it was about as believable as anything Sarah Palin says? Can’t he ever give credit to the opponent because the Redskins played a heck of a game and have certainly turned things around since the NFL Opener defeat to the Giants? But hey. T-Ho will always be a selfserving primadona who doesn’t care about the team concept despite his talent which is why I’d never take him on my team.

-I could do a better job than Scott Linehan did with the Rams.

-It sure took long enough for the Lions to realize Matt Millen wasn’t a good Team President. I wonder what keyed them in on that.

-When someone takes shots at the Yanks and Mets for not qualifying, just remember you could be the Tigers who gave up the world for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, who now looks like a serious rebuilding project. Tell ya one thing. Cameron Maybin sure looks good in center for the Marlins. And if Andrew Miller pans out, that’s gonna be one heck of a rotation in 2009. The Mets and Phillies might have some competition for the NL East.

-Just how ridiculous is Jim Dolan? Idiotic enough to continue bringing back Allan Houston while refusing to payoff Stephon Marbury to get him off the Knicks roster. That’s why no matter who’s running it, they’ll always be the same laughingstock.

-Now would be a good time to tell the Rangers that the NHL regular season begins in a few days over in Europe cause they have looked really bad so far. I wonder what Glen Sather thinks now of investing six years and six and a half per on Wade Redden. Just wait till the season starts up. You ain’t seen nothing yet.

-What I like about the Giant organization is they stick to their rules disciplining Plaxico Burress for missing two straight days of practice even if it was due to a personal family matter. The wideout still should’ve communicated better this way he wouldn’t be fined and have to sit out next week’s home game versus Seattle. However, there aren’t any excuses and no exceptions under Coach Coughlin which is why I believe this team can repeat. They get it!

-Someone might want to tell Jerry Jones that this isn’t the 50’s anymore when he last played organized football. He doesn’t belong on the sideline.

-Boomer and Carton are a fun listen on WFAN in the morning because they work well and have solid chemistry. Listening to them rant over the Mets’ latest disappointment was good radio. Loved Carton’s nickname for Wright for failing to deliver in the clutch: “D-Rod.” A reference to Alex Rodriguez.

-I feel bad for diehard Met fans like Steve Somers, Tony Paige, Evan Roberts and Joe Benigno, who live and die with their team all year long. You can feel the emotion and terrible bitterness in their voices. Particularly Somers, who last week coming back from a great Weezer concert sounded heartbroken over a costly extra inning defeat to the Cubs. You could really tell how badly he wanted to see them get in and reverse last year.

They all did and showed so much. Maybe if the Mets had played with as much energy as they brought to the WFAN airwaves, they wouldn’t be sitting home instead getting ready for Lou Piniella’s Cubs. They might get paid to talk sports but they wear the Mets’ logo as a badge of honor as did outstanding play-by-play man Howie Rose.

Nobody ever likes to get their hearts broken. Especially by their favorite sports team which is what can make following sports so crazy. One minute, you’re as high as the sky and the next you feel like burying yourself under the sand.

It’s the real diehards who never abandon ship who shall always get my sorrows. Cause it takes a lot sometimes to stay with a team that constantly gives you heartache.

It’s deja boo all over again. How does one explain it? Two straight Septembers on the final day against the same opponent at home, the Mets season ended in awful fashion at the hands of the division rival Marlins.

Imagine making more baseball history but only the wrong kind becoming the first ever team to lead their division by at least three and a half games with the same 17 games left only to miss two straight postseasons. How could it happen all over again? Sure. The way it did was very different than last year’s season finale in which the Marlins pummeled Tom Glavine into oblivion routing them 8-1 in a game which was over before you were in your seat.

This time, they got five shutout innings from future free agent Oliver Perez matching zeros with Florida southpaw Scott Olsen. Trouble was this was the same opposing starter they’d banged around in three previous outings to the tune of over a 7.00 ERA. Suddenly, the Mets couldn’t hit him which meant the longer the game remained scoreless, the worse feeling you got. Why couldn’t they use the momentum from one of the greatest games pitched by a Met and jump all over him?

Only this team could not take anything into another do or die situation off a brilliant performance from Johan Santana, who dominated the Marlins on three days rest much the way John Maine flirted with the franchise’s first no-hitter on another Saturday a year ago. Instead, the final regular season game at Shea Stadium soon teased a packed house into Believing’ like the team mantra that it would be different when Carlos Beltran answered Florida’s pair of runs with a two-run home run in the sixth to tie it.

But they were in store for an even more heartbreaking conclusion because thanks to the rain, the Brewers and Cubs were playing at the same time with Chicago holding a 1-0 lead until a seventh inning bases loaded Craig Counsell walk forced in the tying run. Suddenly, you had two teams both tied late with no clue whether one would take the wild card or both would wind up in a one-game playoff which would’ve taken place later today at Shea. Any Met fan after Friday night would’ve signed for that.

However, it just wasn’t meant to be as two eighth innings couldn’t have played out any more different cause while Florida pinch hitter Wes Helms greeted Scott Schoeneweis’ first and only pitch with a leadoff homer and Dan Uggla followed suit taking Luis Ayala deep for a 4-2 lead, there was Milwaukee left field slugger Ryan Braun taking Bob Howry’s first pitch out to left for a go-ahead two-run blast providing ace C.C. Sabathia with a 3-1 lead. Plenty for the rental who like Santana pitched on short rest a third straight time finishing the game for his NL best seventh complete game in 17 starts.

Ironically, Braun’s 37th came about two minutes later fully aware they got help from a Marlin team which once again got the last laugh celebrating for the final time on the Mets’ home field.

Somewhere, Willie Randolph had to be smiling. Though replacement Jerry Manuel certainly did a respectable job turning around a flawed team which somehow wasn’t fixed by Omar Minaya, who’s about to be renewed for the same four years he gave to Luis Castillo, who lost his spot at second to fourth string journeyman Ramon Martinez this weekend.

If you want to blame the Mets pigpen for this, it would be very easy to but what about the offense? Where was it? They did nothing in the series opener following one of the most improbable two out rallies before beating the Cubs. And in a game which Santana had to be near perfect in, New York managed just two runs on six hits stranding 10 while striking out 10 times against opposing starter Ricky Nolasco- one more than their Cy caliber stud had.

You still would’ve believed they could muster more than they came up with on the final Sunday of the season. They would be inspired after such a magnificent performance. Not exactly. If not for Beltran’s 27th, they get blanked on just three more hits with everything on the line.

Sure. They didn’t go quietly putting the tying runners on base before veteran Arthur Rhodes got Carlos Delgado to line out to deep left to end the eighth.

Of course, David Wright made yet another useless weakly popping to second starting off the ninth to boos. Endy Chavez, who made a great diving catch in the seventh robbing Jorge Cantu of a go-ahead double couldn’t come through at the plate bouncing back to ex-Met Matt Lindstrom for the second out. Too bad they didn’t keep him dealing him away for virtually nothing three years ago.

At least one of the few character guys Damion Easley came up and worked a walk to send the tying run Ryan Church to the plate allowing everyone in the place to stand praying for one more Miracle of ‘69. He gave a Lindstrom offering a ride to deep right center but it unfortunately didn’t have enough distance allowing Florida’s Cameron Maybin to get to the edge of the track and squeeze the final out of the Mets season breaking more hearts on a day they closed Shea for good.

Somehow after another bitter conclusion, they pulled off a very nice ceremony honoring heroes of the past which ranged from Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Cleo Jones, Tommy Agee, Mike Piazza, John Franco, Al Leiter, Robin Ventura to ‘86 members Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling, Sid Fernandez, Bob Ojeda, Gary Carter, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Howard Johnson, Len Dykstra, Wally Backman and the man who closed out the Astros and Red Sox Jesse Orosco, who fans must’ve wished they still had.

What remains are lingering questions as to how the Mets couldn’t deliver one big hit with runners in scoring position going 0-for-11 the entire series. Can anyone explain what happened to leading RBI man Wright who tied one of the all-time great Mets Piazza for a share of the franchise RBI record (124)? Why does the third baseman who’s one of two cornerstones along with Jose Reyes always seem to falter in the clutch? Speaking of the speedy Met shortstop who leads off, he had only a couple of hits in the series and another disappointing final month hitting .243 despite playing much better under Manuel.

Something’s missing which is pretty apparent to everyone except for Minaya and club owner Jeff Wilpon, who seems to believe this team “overachieved” as opposed to last year’s epic collapse.

Wrong. Injuries are part of sports and while they did lose closer Billy Wagner, Maine the final month, Church an extended period due to the team’s mishandling of his second concussion and Pedro Martinez a couple of months, they still had a healthy Santana, Perez and emerging Mike Pelfrey in their rotation along with their top five run producers.

The Yankees had their share of injuries too and didn’t make any excuses for missing their first October in 14 seasons knowing full well they underachieved which wasn’t acceptable.

You try to win with the hand you’re dealt and the fact is that these Mets led the Phillies again with 17 to play but faltered down the stretch due to poor performances against the Braves and Nationals before the final week turned into an emotional rollercoaster alternating wins and losses. Unfortunately, they began Monday with a defeat and were due for a loss yesterday.

When you go out and steal an ace like Santana, there are no more excuses. It shouldn’t have happened again.

Instead, the Mets saw their shadow with the groundhog apparently closing Shea for good.

He wanted the ball on short rest from Jerry Manuel and got it saving his team’s season. Johan Santana pitched one of the greatest games in Mets history yesterday going on three days rest to shutout the Marlins 2-0 helping the Queens club tie the Brewers for the wild card due to Milwaukee’s 7-3 home defeat at the hands of the Cubs.

Now it comes down to another Sunday late in September at Shea just like last year against the very same Florida team who still can spoil the final ever regular season game at the old ballpark. However, that wouldn’t be possible without the former Twin two-time AL Cy Young winner pitching like an ace earning every penny of his big contract for his 16th victory improving to 9-0 in 17 starts since late June.

The best aspect was that the 29 year-old southpaw demanded to pitch taking on the large responsibility for a flawed team which is real thin on pitching. Right away, you could tell Santana had superb stuff with his fastball hitting 94 on the gun and his bread and butter slider change biting out of the strike zone fooling batters.

This was the kind of special performance which can energize a team desperately looking for a much better result than the morgue Shea turned into last year. But wasn’t it John Maine who was utterly brilliant on a Saturday giving that team life before Tom Glavine destroyed it in less than one inning? Why will it be different this time? You might say because this Met team has a pulse and is much more together under Manuel wanting October so badly despite no bullpen to speak of.

They fight to the bitter end this time and don’t want today to be the last ever game played at Shea before they move into their new park next store at Citi Field. It’s not possible without Santana who has had exactly the kind of second half he needed turning around a so/so season into the NL’s best ERA lowering it to 2.53 and putting himself in play for the Cy Young. Though the field should be packed with contenders including Milwaukee rental C.C. Sabathia, who’ll be once again going on short rest trying to deliver the same sort of virtuoso performance to make Brewer fans forget that their team hasn’t seen the postseason in 26 years when they were still in the AL East.

Santana’s shall be a tough act to follow after how he dialed up 117 more pitches following a career high 125 in a win over the Cubs Tuesday to three-hit a dangerous hitting Marlin team. With his team up a pair in the fifth, he escaped a bases loaded two out jam by getting rookie catcher John Baker to line out to right fielder Ryan Church who was positioned perfectly preserving the two-run lead.

From that point, he only got stronger cruising through the next three innings by getting a few batters to chase that change which helped him ring up nine strikeouts.

“I just went out there and tried to finish it. I didn’t do anything crazy,” he later acknowledged. “I knew the situation we were in.”

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever seen, given the situation,” praised potential Monday sudden death starter Pedro Martinez.

At 104 after eight which was right around Manuel’s limit, there was no doubt that he wasn’t coming out of such a crucial game. Not with the hardest three outs to get. Especially if you root for these Mets.

“You couldn’t have pulled him out. He wouldn’t have let you,” the cool skipper said while going on to add:

“How many did he pitch? How many did he throw? Wow, wow, wow, wow. I think if I had to describe that one, I would say that was gangsta. That was real gangsta.”

When it looked like he’d finish without any drama, a one out Josh Willingham double off the left field wall made things interesting again. Still a couple of outs to go. But then Santana made Dan Uggla look silly chasing three changes for out two.

One more. Even if you weren’t a Met fan, you had to be into it wanting to see him finish such a gem. He quickly got ahead of Cody Ross 0-2 before the count went to 1-2. One more pitch would do it but what would it be without making Met fans hearts race?

Then Ross put a really good swing on one of the few Santana pitches which got enough of the plate sending it deep making fans fear the worst. Could it possibly be? But much like Met great Mike Piazza’s home run swing off Mariano Rivera which turned into the final out of the 2000 World Series, Ross’ ball died on the warning track safely into left fielder Endy Chavez’ glove.

Game over. Met season saved and very much in play thanks to Lou Piniella, who wisely pulled Jason Marquis when the Brewers suddenly had them loaded down a run before Michael Wuertz got dangerous first base slugger Prince Fielder to bounce into an inning ending twin killing. In a previous match-up versus Marquis, he had a bases clearing double in the Brew Crew’s only win in three last week at Wrigley.

The Met season probably hung in the balance with that at bat. Instead, Wuertz induced the ground ball and the Cubs got insurance off struggling Milwaukee closer Salomon Torres highlighted by Kosuke Fukudome’s two-run home run and then tacked on one more for good measure.

“It’s obviously been a roller-coaster ride,” Milwaukee interim manager Dale Sveum pointed out after his team blew a five and a half game WC lead before passing the Mets only to have their five-game win streak stopped making Game 162 a must win. “But the fact of the matter is, when we started, if somebody said, ‘You’re tied after game 161, would you take that in spring training?’ Thirty teams would have done that.”

Now we get another riveting conclusion to a wild season which won’t soon be forgotten. The Mets will send out Oliver Perez hoping the good one will show up at the ballpark when he takes on fellow lefty Scott Olsen. They’ll honor their past before the big game and then start up less than an hour before Sabathia gets the ball against Cub no-name Angel Guzman, who’s subbing in place of Carlos Zambrano much to Met fans’ chagrin.

Such is the situation when the NL’s best team has nothing to play for and will probably sit out many regulars in preparation for Wednesday.

“I didn’t think about tomorrow, I thought about today,” Santana added while keeping perspective for why he had such success.

Now, it all comes down to this with a possible one game playoff at Shea tomorrow if necessary.

Martinez then appropriately shouted as he departed the one word which sums it up:

“Manana!”

Only time shall tell for these Amazin’s.

-The Yanks and Angels are still scoreless headed to the bottom of the fifth in Rally Monkey town. Los Angeles smacked around Ian Kennedy last night in a 10-5 series opening win. Thus far today, spot starter Dan Giese has matched zeroes with ace John Lackey, who just got out of a two out first and third situation by striking out Derek Jeter on three pitches including a nasty slider out he chased out of the zone. Textbook pitching. He started the Yankee shortstop with two perfect outside heaters setting him up for the big K. Jeter entered the AB with a .310 average in money situations where as the team average with runners in scoring position was just .261. Not helped much from Alex Rodriguez, who continues to struggle in those key instances following an MVP year in which he was clutch. You have to wonder if perhaps the added incentive of playing for a new $300 million contract factored into just how locked in the third base slugger was last year as he’s never been a reliable player in the biggest spots no matter how great his statistics are. The Yanks clearly need more from him in tight games if they’re to extend to 14 straight postseason appearances.

-Who ever would’ve believed that Mike Mussina would be the leader of a banged up Yankee rotation working seven shutout innings in winning his 15th the other night on pace for the first 20-win season of his career? In a year where not much has gone right for the Bronx Bombers, Moose has been superb and deserves some AL Cy Young votes.

-Without Oliver Perez, the Mets would be screwed too. He tossed seven scoreless last night for his eighth victory in a 3-0 home shutout of the Marlins. They moved half a game ahead of Florida for second and just a game back of the Phillies, who dropped a 2-0 12 inning decision to the Pirates last night in which former Sock Craig Hansen closed it out for the save.

-The good news for the Amazin’s is that in a year where somehow Mike Pelfrey paces the rotation in wins (10), they find themselves right there in this NL East race. Most encouraging is that David Wright is getting it in gear slugging a walkoff dinger to bail out the Mets pen over San Diego the other day and ripped his 22nd- a two-run shot in last night’s win. The third baseman is up to .288 with 22 homers and ranks third in the Senior Circuit with 89 RBI’s. Even in a year where he’s been very streaky, Wright’s poised to finish strong and have another outstanding season. They’ll need every big swing down the stretch from their biggest star.

-Maybe he heard me. A-Rod went yard for his team-leading 26th in the sixth off Lackey followed by Jason Giambi’s 23rd marking the seventh time this season Yanks have gone back-to-back. They lead the Angels 2-0 and still trail the Red Sox by three games for the wild card.

-Game Update: Mark Teixeira breaks up Giese’s shutout with a mammoth blast to dead center making it his second home run in a week off Yankee pitchers to cut it to 2-1. He also took Edwar Ramirez yard for a go-ahead grand slam in a game the Yanks cameback to win last Sunday.

-I like the Olympics and that opening ceremony in Beijing looked very top notch but maybe it’s just me but these ceremonies just take way too long. Let the games begin already! It’s bad enough we’re some eight hours or so behind with the Pacific even more. Air the events. Gotta say I was amused by that badminton match this morning. Those smaller rackets used to keep that thing are pretty cool. Being that the players can’t let it bounce makes it even more intriguing as there are some good rallies. My friends of course laughed but hey. It’s as Olympic as the sheer grit, intensity and determination of power walking.

-Off to go cover the first place Staten Island Yankees at the nice ballpark by the Ferry Terminal.

-It’s hard to comprehend the Mets after a lost weekend in Houston where they were swept by the Astros. Following a splendid Police concert last night at PNC Art Center in New Jersey, I overheard a distraught Met fan who pointed out to their friend that they should have won two of the three games. How right he was. They could’ve won Friday’s opener which was knotted at three before Mark Loretta took Aaron Heilman deep for an eighth inning grand slam. It had been a half inning earlier where they left the bases loaded with nobody out. Saturday saw ace Johan Santana not go deep enough despite allowing just a run on three hits on 103 pitches before exiting with a 4-1 lead in the seventh. Closer Billy Wagner couldn’t hold it giving up a bizarre tying Geoff Blum pinch hit two-run tying single in which Loretta and Hunter Pence came into score almost simultaneously with both sliding into home past Ramon Castro, who couldn’t apply the tag to either. Darin Erstad’s 10th inning sac fly which scored Lance Berkman gave the Astros a stunning 5-4 win.

Then there was yesterday in which Houston scored four times in two innings against Oliver Perez including a solo shot from former Met Ty Wigginton while his ex-club couldn’t do anything with the pedestrian Randy Wolf, who escaped a couple of tight situations including a bases loaded jam K-ing the final two batters en route to five scoreless and seven strikeouts for only his seventh victory. The Amazin’s were shutdown over the final four frames by the Houston pen falling for the fourth straight time.

It was just a week ago where the Mets had completed two of three from the Phils and then gained another game moving a game and a half up in the NL East with the Marlins in third. Here they are now behind Florida in the standings and trailing Philadelphia, who’s won five of six by three games. Not only that but Wagner will undergo an MRI for his strained left forearm tomorrow and could be sidelined meaning rookie Eddie Kunz might get the call. The 22 year-old former 2007 first round pick who pitched last year with Brooklyn and was in Double-A Binghamton this season tossed a 1-2-3 inning last night in his major league debut. Still, if Wagner is out, it would be immense pressure to put on the kid out of Oregon State.

The Mets also put SP John Maine (rotator cuff strain) on the DL not wanting to take any chances. Anytime you’re dealing with the rotator cuff, you have to use precaution. Hopefully, he won’t be out too long and be able to contribute down the stretch of the pennant race.

The growing question is who are these Mets? The team which underperformed miserably getting Willie Randolph axed or the team which looked like world beaters for a month under Jerry Manuel. Or are they somewhere in the middle? On paper, they’re the best team in the NL East even if Pedro Martinez isn’t what he once was. Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado continue to swing hot bats and David Wright continues to drive in runs. Can Fernando Tatis keep up his torrid pace? The one Met who’s underachieved is star center fielder Carlos Beltran. Our fave Daily News columnist Mike Lupica had an interesting take yesterday about Beltran being the city’s biggest offensive disappointment. Hard to argue even if he still has knocked in 73 which ranks second to Wright on the club. The .266 average and 15 homers aren’t enough which might explain why Manuel moved Beltran into the No.2 hole between Reyes and Wright. That’s not where you’d expect the $119 million man to hit but too often he’s up and down failing to deliver in key moments. If Beltran got hot, that would probably vault the Mets over the Marlins and Phillies. The question remains when?

-Speaking of Beltran, remember a couple of winters back when there was discussion about maybe trading him for Manny Ramirez? Don’t you think fans of the club in Queens wish Omar Minaya had pursued it? Heck. He could’ve packaged Lastings Milledge in a deal for the slugger. In his first season with the Nationals after being dealt for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider, the former Mets’ 2003 first round pick is hitting .243 with nine dingers, 36 RBI’s, 39 runs scored and 14 steals in 89 games thus far while having a stint on the DL. Tell ya one thing. If he ever returns healthy and to form, Church can make a big difference in that Met lineup making everyone forget about Milledge, who hasn’t exactly lit it up yet.

-I know they cameback to win yesterday 14-9 scoring six in the eighth in which the Angels committed an uncharacteristic three errors helping them out big time to gain a split of a four-game series but what exactly was Joe Girardi thinking leaving Edwar Ramirez in to face slugger Mark Teixeira from the left side after it was clear that the reliever was struggling? Was anyone really surprised when the recently acquired first baseman crushed a Ramirez offering for a go-ahead grand slam into the short porch? Isn’t that why the Yanks went out and got lefty Damaso Marte?

-Another thing. Girardi’s supposed to be this great manager but how many times are we going to see him send Mariano Rivera out for the ninth in a tie game only to see the lights out closer give it up? He might still be the best closer in the game even if K-Rod has saved 45 and celebrates every single one like Reyes rounding the bases for a homer. However, Mo isn’t the same pitcher in tie games. Too often Girardi’s gotten burned. Maybe it’s time for another plan cause the way I see it, his ballclub needs as many wins as possible with the first place Rays continuing to win and the Red Sox holding serve.

-Nice to see deadline pickup Xavier Nady paying dividends for the Bronx Bombers, homering and driving in six in yesterday’s win. So far, so good for the one-time Met.

-Is there any other Yankee you want hitting in a big spot than Bobby Abreu? All the right fielder does is come through with hits like the opposite field tying one in Sunday’s wacky game. When he does get a hold of one, that home run stroke is very pretty to watch. Question is will the Yanks re-sign him or does Nady replace him in right next year? We’ll have to wait and see.

-Only Manny Ramirez could pull off wearing No.99 in Dodger blue and not missing a beat.

-Congrats to Rafael Nadal, who will officially overtake Roger Federer for the No.1 ranking when it gets released following the Olympics. The 22 year-old scintillating Spaniard who became the first male player to sweep the French and Wimbledon since Bjorn Borg in 1980 deserves it. He was already thought of as the best player after winning that remarkable classic over Federer. Now, he’ll become the third ever player (Carlos Moya-1999, Juan Carlos Ferrero-2003) from his country to be No.1 in the world. About damn time!

-As for Federer, it’s getting harder to believe him when he is reduced to saying he doesn’t care about losing a spot he held for a record 235 weeks after inexplicably falling in the second round at Cincinnati to big server Ivo Karlovic. Heck. He needed three sets to beat one-time U.S. Open semifinalist Robby Ginepri who wore out due to the heat. I’ve always been a huge fan of the 12-time slam winner who will still attempt to make it five straight U.S. Opens this Fall. However, more and more it’s looking like it’s going to be a much tougher hill to climb if he wants to match Pete Sampras’ record 14 slams. We’re going to find out an awful lot about the 26 year-old Swiss’ resolve the rest of the way.

-Don’t look now but it appears Nadal, Federer and Australian Open champ Novak Djokovic got company as Andy Murray is making a serious push after edging the Serb in two tiebreaks Sunday for his first ever Masters Series win and sixth career title. The former pupil of Brad Gilbert has really come on strong and should be a serious threat at the final slam here in NYC. Perhaps the Scot is about to harness his talent giving Britain what it’s desired forever. A tennis star capable of winning majors. Don’t you wish we could say the same for our own assortment of American players?

-It really was nice to see Art Monk finally get his big day going into Canton with former Redskin teammate Darryl Green Saturday. He waited a few years too long as he was one of the best and most consistent wideouts in the NFL. A class guy as well. Something you can’t always say for everyone.

-I couldn’t help wondering the other night as ESPN’s Trey Wingo and Tom Jackson sung the praises of Monk for how he conducted himself on the field about what it would be like if a first rate jerk like Terrell Owens ever makes the Hall. Can you imagine just how fake the speech will be? Will he be wearing those shades hiding away those fake tears while talking about his star QB and losing as a team?!?!?!?!?! Somewhere, obnoxious agent Drew Rosenhaus is probably grinning at the daunting prospect.

-Now that Brett Favre has been welcomed back with open arms by Green Bay, do he and the Packers live happily ever after and go away for good? I would love to be a fly on the wall and see that convo with Aaron Rodgers.

-I watched the final Old-Timer’s Day ceremony on YES Network Saturday and enjoyed seeing the loud ovations Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez along with legends Reggie Jackson, Ron Guidry, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra and Don Larsen got but that reception Randolph received from the packed house was the best moment in my book. No.30 will always be one of their own helping them win in 1977-78. Sure. He managed the Mets and nearly got them to a World Series in 2006 but the way he was sent packing was distasteful and the crowd let him know about it by giving the classy former second baseman such a long ovation which was so nice to see. You could really tell how much he appreciated it. That’s what I love about sports. Special moments such as that.

-Condolences go out to Skip Caray’s family as the great Atlanta Brave broadcaster and son of Harry Caray passed away earlier today at the age of 68.

-Also sending our prayers and thoughts to 71 year-old actor Morgan Freeman, who was in a serious car accident this morning. He’s always been one of the better actors. My favorite role will always be his unbelievable portrayal of Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding alongside Tim Robbins’ Andy Dufresne character in The Shawshank Redemption. I sure hope he makes a full recovery.

-The Mets rebounded with a 4-1 win over the Marlins thanks to Carlos Beltran’s two out go-ahead single in the sixth plus some insurance off the big bat of Carlos Delgado, who took Marlins’ lefty Renyel Pinto deep for a two-run blast in the eighth for his club best 23rd of the season. Oliver Perez went six innings allowing only a run on five hits while walking three and fanning five tossing 100 pitches. He wasn’t lights out but did just enough to give his team a chance escaping a first and second one out situation with a 1-6-3 double play. He notched his seventh victory dropping his ERA to 4.02.

New York also got solid relief from Aaron Heilman, who after walking a couple in the seventh settled down to toss two scoreless while fanning four. Billy Wagner retired the side in order whiffing a pair for his 27th save.

-For the Marlins who dropped a couple out of first, Scott Olsen wasn’t bad by any stretch matching Perez for nearly the same amount but couldn’t get that final out in the sixth walking Delgado and then giving up Beltran’s go-ahead base hit. Following a Fernando Tatis single, the lefty was pulled having gone five and two thirds while allowing two earned on six hits walking a pair and striking out five.

You have to wonder why Florida skipper Fredi Gonzalez didn’t stay with reliever Matt Lindstrom after he baffled the Mets for one and a third scoreless with two K’s. Something Howie Rose and Wayne Hagan alluded to on the radio cast when Pinto came in to start the eighth, allowing the Mets to ice the game.

If there’s an aspect the Marlins lost this game, it was stranding runners as they left 16 on compared to New York’s nine. They aren’t the most fundamentally sound club as evidenced by their D the previous night and their continued free swinging approach which saw them K 11 times including All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez going for the hat trick. There also was a big at bat where former Met Mike Jacobs pinch hit in the seventh with the tying run just put on via a walk on five pitches by Heilman. Instead of being patient, he swung at the Met setup man’s first offering harmlessly popping out. It might have been wiser to be more patient in such a big spot. But often with younger teams, they’ll be overly aggressive showing inexperience.

That’s an area Florida will have to continue to get better at if they want to seriously contend over the next couple of years.

-The Yanks again were victimized by the opportunistic Orioles who broke open a one-run game by putting up a four spot in the seventh off the combo of Darrell Rasner and recent lefty pickup Damaso Marte in a 7-6 win. With Rasner in trouble, the ex-Pirate came on and subsequently gave up three consecutive hits including a bases clearing double to hitting star Aubrey Huff and a Melvin Mora RBI two-bagger making it 6-1. Till that point, the Yanks had their lone run on Alex Rodriguez’ solo shot for his 22nd off Daniel Cabrera.

With Joe Girardi sending out Mariano Rivera to get some work after a few days off, the closer couldn’t escape Huff, who earlier in his at bat just missed a right field upper deck homer. It would take a couple of more pitches before he straightened out a fastball which got too much of the plate serving it out into the short porch for his 22nd putting the stamp on a four hit, four RBI night. As it turned out, that big swing proved large because the Bronx Bombers rallied for three in the home half versus closer George Sherrill.

Following a Johnny Damon leadoff hit, Derek Jeter walked. Then Bobby Abreu doubled in a run putting the tying run to the plate but A-Rod struck out swinging. A Jason Giambi two-run base hit suddenly made it a one-run game. When pinch runner Justin Christian swiped second, they had two shots to get him in but Sherrill buckled down getting both Robinson Cano and Wilson Betemit swinging to end any chance of a miraculous Yankee comeback.

-The loss prevented the Yanks from gaining a game on the Red Sox, who were no-hit for eight and a third by Angels’ ace John Lackey Fenway before second baseman Dustin Pedroia broke it up. Though he lost his shutout bid on a Kevin Youkilis two-run dinger, Lackey finished the game with a two-hitter walking a couple and K-ing four on 120 pitches with 91 for strikes in improving to 9-2. The 29 year-old Angel ace who tossed his 12th career complete game got a nice hand from the Boston faithful.

-Off the field, Lackey’s team made some big headlines by packaging first baseman Casey Kotchman along with 24 year-old Double-A pitching prospect Stephen Marek to the Braves in exchange for 28 year-old first base slugger Mark Teixeira, making it the second straight year before the deadline the former Texas Ranger star was dealt. In 103 games this season, the former Georgia Tech star was hitting .283 with 20 homers and 78 RBI’s plus a .390 OBP and .512 slugging. In 157 total games as a Brave, Teixeira totaled 37 home runs, 74 extra base hits and 134 RBI’s. In the final year of a contract, he’ll now go West to LA to try to help deliver the Angels’ second world championship in six years. He’s making $12.5 million in the last year and could become a UFA this November.

Said Teixeira of the deal:

“Hopefully, I can just go over there and be one more piece of the puzzle.”

It should make the Halos even tougher to get out. Particularly with a middle of the order which now features Vlad Guerrero, Torii Hunter and Teixeira.

The slugger also added of his new ballclub:

“The Angels have always been one of the best teams in the league. They’ve always had great pitching, great defense and find a way to win games. I want to be the one who hopefully gets them over the top.”

The two-time Gold Glover also paid tribute to his former team where he enjoyed his brief stay:

“The last couple days I knew it was coming, so I prepared for it. It’s a little bittersweet. I really enjoyed my time here. I had a great year here. I love this team. I love this organization. I love this city. It’s tough to leave.”

Class all the way.

-In Milwaukee, Carlos Zambrano helped the Cubs to a second straight win over the Brewers easily outpitching Ben Sheets by going eight strong scoreless scattering five hits walking two and fanning nine as the NL Central leaders prevailed 7-1 extending their lead to three games. Four Cubs had at least two hits and Aramis Ramirez finished with four, two runs scored plus an RBI as Chicago put a hurting on Sheets scoring six times on 11 hits in five and a third to hand him his fourth defeat. Every Cub had at least one hit including Zambrano, whose infield RBI base hit to short highlighted a five-run sixth which broke open a one-run game. Japanese rookie Kosuke Fukudome and veteran utility man Mark DeRosa each drove in a pair giving the Cubs their third straight victory while dealing the Brewers their third loss in a row.

-With the Cards prevailing 8-3 against the DL-plagued Braves who just lost Tim Hudson for the season and placed leading hitter Chipper Jones on the DL, they’re within a game of the wild card behind Milwaukee. Albert Pujols slugged his third long ball in four days scoring three times and catcher Yadier Molina added three hits and two RBI’s.

-The Phillies remained a half game behind the Mets thanks to a stellar effort from Brett Myers, who went seven innings allowing just one unearned on four hits, walking one and striking out a couple for just his fourth win. A much better effort than his prior one against the Amazin’s which was good news for the Phils, who just sent Adam Eaton back to Triple-A to get straightened out. The Phillies got a two-run homer from Chase Utley (26th) which was enough to edge the Nationals 2-1 keeping pace with New York.

-The first place Rays gained a game on Boston going two up and four on the Yanks thanks to a 3-0 complete game shutout by Matt Garza, who outpitched Roy Halladay for win No.9. He got an Eric Hinske inside the park homer and a two-run Evan Longoria two-run eighth inning triple as he five-hit the Jays on 106 pitches walking one and striking out five. In a losing effort, Halladay went eight frames allowing three earned on six hits walking a trio while fanning eight in falling to 12-8. He tossed 118 pitches. What a horse.

-The Twins rallied from 4-0 down scoring five in the fifth and one in the seventh to comeback and beat the White Sox 6-5, pulling within half a game of first. Justin Morneau’s bases clearing double was the big hit but as it turned out teammate Joe Mauer’s run scoring single proved to be the difference due to a Nick Swisher solo homer off closer Joe Nathan in the ninth. Nathan then got the final batter to notch his 29th save.

-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 tale of two New York baseball teams is being told as we approach the final weekend before the superhyped final All-Star Game at legendary Yankee Stadium in the cathedral which will soon be replaced by a brand new state of the art ballpark across the street.

For one team at least, they can feel pretty darn good about themselves because the Mets have finally discovered that magic formula under interim manager Jerry Manuel reeling off seven in a row including last nite’s 2-1 squeaker over the visiting Rockies at Shea.

Oliver Perez was rock solid for a third consecutive outing permitting just a run despite walking six before giving way to a pen which wiggled out of a couple of bases loaded jams including Aaron Heilman getting the last two Rockies swinging in the seventh. Pedro Feliciano followed suit by escaping a similar jam in the eighth keeping the contest tied to set the stage for surprising veteran second baseman Damion Easley who provided the heroics with a solo shot in the bottom half to give his team another huge victory.

For once, Billy Wagner closed it out 1-2-3 getting the final out on a deep fly to Carlos Beltran which kept the Amazin’s red hot with a season high seventh win in a row to remain tied with the Marlins a game and a half out of first.

Meanwhile in the City of Brotherly Love, the Phillies cameback to beat the one under NL West-leading Diamondbacks 6-5 in 12 innings getting a crucial two-run eighth inning tying triple from gritty center fielder Shane Victorino and a walkoff Jayson Werth RBI base hit to win for the second straight time. Ryan Howard added his major league best 28th dinger.

While the Mets should feel good for closing the gap after trailing by as much as seven to the Phils, the Yankees have to be increasingly frustrated with their inconsistency.

Having looked like they were about to put something together by taking the last two against Boston and sweeping a two-game series from the suddenly slumping first place Rays (lost fifth straight last night), they followed it up by turning Paul Maholm into a Cy Young candidate scoring just two runs in a depressing 4-2 loss to the Pirates in a makeup game Thursday. After a Bobby Abreu two-run single tied it, Pirates’ All-Star center fielder Nate McLouth responded by hitting a gamebreaking two-run home run off normally reliable Jose Veras in the seventh.

It allowed the Pirates to take the series despite another good outing from veteran Mike Mussina (6 IP, 2 ER, 9 H, 5 K’s).

The problem for the Bronx Bombers is that the very next night, they had to deal with Toronto ace Roy Halladay, who brought his ‘A’ game to the table outpitching rookie Joba Chamberlain (6.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, HR, 9 K’s) while going the distance for his impressive major league-leading seventh complete game two-hitting them while walking one and fanning eight.

Only veteran infielders Alex Rodriguez (fourth inning single) and Derek Jeter (ninth inning ground rule double) got hits off Halladay leaving the Yankee captain singing the Toronto ace’s praises:

“He never throws a ball over the middle of the plate. If you face him four or five times a game, you might get one pitch over the plate. He goes from corner to corner as good as any pitcher in the game. He’s probably the best starter in baseball, I would think. I know I’m a little biased because we face him 10 times a year. He’s as consistent as anyone.”

Pretty hard to disagree with that assessment. It’s always been my belief that Halladay and Brandon Webb were the best pitchers in the game. Cue up the arguments.

Unfortunately for Jeter and the Yankee Pinstripes, they blew another golden opportunity to gain valuable ground on Tampa Bay, who lost again to the lowly Indians 5-0. It’s also worth noting that second place Boston also dropped a home game to the Orioles 7-3 remaining a game and a half out of first while the Yanks still trail by six and a half and seven in the loss column.

It’s vital for them to bounceback over the next two days before the break. However, that doesn’t seem likely with struggling fifth starter Darrell Rasner going against Jesse Litsch later today. If he does win, then the finale would see veteran southpaw Andy Pettite take on fireballer A.J. Burnett in a potential great match-up.

We’ll see if Joe Girardi’s ballclub can finish strong.