Mets' Big 4th Leads Them Past Braves

08/18.Flushing,NY--Oliver Perez allowed 4 early runs to Atlanta tonight and most people likely assumed that it was game over (especially with the injury to David Wright over the weekend further depleting this team).

The Mets exploded for 8 runs on 10 hits in the 4th inning en route to a 9-4 victory. The 10 hits were the most in an inning by the Mets ever.Every one of the starters, including Perez, had at least one hit in the game.

Gary Sheffield, Luis Castillo and Jeff Francoeur all had big nights at the plate collecting 3 hits apiece.

Oliver Perez was not bad tonight pitching 5 innings and walked only 1 which was the best part. He still looks like he has not completely put it all together which is very frustrating for someone with his talent. I fear he may never put everything together but yet there are times where that assumption looks to be wrong. You hate potentially putting a guy like that out there for a big game not knowing what you will get. This off season, someone has to address this concern for Perez and get him on track to put his talent together with consistency. Mets fans have been waiting for it to happen with Perez since he became a Met and frankly, they're right.

Switching topics, I am excited to see the return of Billy Wagner at the end of the week. He has looked good during his rehab games and now its time to see if that carries over to the bigs.

I also don't see any reason to trade him with under 50 games to play. What can you really get at this point for him? Doubtfully anyone that will make an impact in the majors anytime soon. it's going to be fun to watch him if he has any success at all and hopefully he does. Wagner will not be a Met next year as he wants to close and try to get his 400th save (he is 15 away from that goal). With K-Rod on the Mets, Wagner will not get the chance. He has been nothing but good for this team and I hope he does well wherever he ends up next (thank god it won't be the Phillies).

Perez Puts in Decent Performance But it is Not Enough As Mets Fall 5-3

7/16--Atlanta,GA. Oliver Perez did not look bad on the mound in his first start back from the All-Stra break and second since coming off the DL. Perez went 6 innings allowing 3 earned runs on 5 hits. He walked 4 and struck out 6. He kept his team in the game as he exited in a 3-3 tie.

The Braves took the lead in the 7th on a Chipper Jones (who else?) RBI single off of Bobby Parnell. Parenell has really been struggling over the better part of a month or so. His command just is not where it was at the beginning of the year. Maybe a minor league stint of a week or 2 to help his command issues would be a help to the team in the long run.

Raphael Soriano looked great for Atlanta pitching a scoreless 9th to earn the save.

Reading metsblog.com I noticed that Michael Baron mentioned that Alex Cora is 7 for his last 39 over the last 10 games. Maybe the torn ligament in his thumb is bothering him at the moment, effecting his hitting. Maybe Angel Berroa, who was just signed on Saturday, should get a chance at short for a game or two to give Cora some time to feel better physically and mentally. Fernando Tatis could also play short if the mets want to do that to Give Cora a game or two off.

Berroa was 3/22 with an RBI for the Yankees this season.

Tonight Mike Pelfrey is on the mound for the Mets to be opposed by Jair Jurrjens for the Braves.