Game #21: Mets 6, D'backs 4

Justin Turner sprinted past Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero with the winning run after Daniel Murphy hit a two-out single in the sixth inning. (NYTimes.com)

All of a sudden, the Mets have figured out how to win. Go figure.

Jason Bay had his best game in a year and Dillon Gee bent but didn't break on the mound. The result? A 6-4 Mets victory over the Diamondbacks, their third straight.

The Good Stuff:
The offense managed 15 hits, their highest total for the season; everyone in the starting nine, even the pitcher, got at least one hit. Standouts were Jason Bay, who hit his first home run in about 10 months and had 3 RBIs; Ike Davis, who went back-to-back with Bay in the 3rd inning and delivered his third round-tripper in as many days; and Daniel Murphy, whose RBI singles in the 6th and 8th proved to be the day's difference for New York.
Dillon Gee was solid in his 6 innings on the hill: 2 earned runs (2 more unearned) on 5 hits, with just 1 walk and 5 strikeouts. It looks like Terry Collins is gonna have a decision to make: when Chris Young comes back from the DL in a couple days, who's gonna drop from the rotation? Certainly not Gee, who's had two great starts, nor Young, who's done the same. If Jon Niese doesn't have a good outing tomorrow, he may get the hook. If he does, then it's a problem, but it's a good problem to have...as long as Terry makes the right choice.
Even the bullpen came through today, with Pedro Beato, Jason Isringhausen, and Francisco Rodriguez combining for 3 innings of scoreless relief.

The Bad Stuff:
K-Rod did let the tying runs get in scoring position before K-ing the final two batters to end the game. We're used to it by now, but that doesn't make it any less heart-stopping. Watching K-Rod save a game is like getting on a roller coaster: no matter how many times you get on, every time your stomach will wrench. And once that ride's over, whoa. What a feeling. ...I'd still prefer 1-2-3 saves though.

Final Analysis:
In most circumstances, 8-13 would be a disappointing start to a season. It only looks good when it's preceded by a 5-13 record, as it does in this situation. Thus, 8-13 is something Mets fans can smile about.

Tomorrow the Amazin's have a chance at 9-13, which will look even better. Let's hope they bring their brooms out to the ballgame.

MM