Mets Slapped By Fish

MARLINS 7

METS 3

Once again John Maine could not complete a ball game due to arm stiffness, and once again the Mets bullpen imploded in a terrible 7-3 defeat to the energetic and for real Florida Marlins.

In case you are still doubting the fish, you better stop and start believing in them. They are getting big crowds, today over 23,000, and are playing inspired baseball. Pretty good for a young team, and this one may be the team the Marlins keep around for more than a year or two.

With the Mets already up 2-0 in the fifth, Maine started to give up huge hits. He gave up a homerun to John Baker to cut the Met lead in half, and then pitcher Ricky Nolasco nearly missed a homer himself, hitting to the warning track in right field. That was enough for Jerry Manuel, who pulled Maine with arm stiffness. This is the second time this month Maine has been pulled becasue of his arm - with the lack of arms out there on the market, the Mets will have to put up with Maine for the long term.

In the eighth things got really zany. With David Wright on third and Carlos Beltran on first, Fernando Tatis grounded into a sure double play, but it was muffed by second baseman Dan Uggla, who threw the ball away, allowing Wright to score the lead run.

But, the Marlins came all the way back on the leaky Met bullpen. Josh Willingham doubled, and then Uggla made up for the error by driving Willingham home with a single to right. The Mets brought in Scott Schoenwies and it didn't get any better, as the scored again and loaded the bases before an out was recored. Cody Ross put the Fish on top for good with a single to center to bring home Uggla to give Florida a 4-3 lead. Finally with Florida up 5-3, Robert Andino doubled to center to drive home Ross and John Baker.

It was a total disaster for the Mets, who now lead Florida by a game and Philadelphia by a half a game.