The Mets needed their ace

This is why the Mets got Santana. They needed a win and they needed someone to get them a win despite the offense (the 7 runs are deceiving). He pitched a strong game and he had two doubles and a walk (not that the Mets got him for his offense). The Mets won thanks to Santana and Washington's defense.

Wayne called it right, however. It was also the Mets' speed that won the game. Reyes's hustling in the 5th to beat the throw on a double play ball was big. Tied the game. The little squibs in the 6th that caused King to rush his throws led to runs. And, Willie managed aggressively - Pagan's two steals in the 6th - trying to make things happen. It was the right thing to do with the team not hitting.

I wasn't thrilled when I heard that Willie was pinch hitting for Santana in the 8th. I thought it was a good opportunity for the bullpen to get a night 'off' (only Wagner in the 9th). Yet, it's hard to argue with the move with the impressive inning that Sanchez had. Everyday he's encouraging me more and more to believe he can get back to what he was in 2006.

"We played in the afternoon yesterday; they played last night" from Wayne. I hope it was just a slip. I don't like "we" from the announcers.

Howie is really getting too frustrated with Castillo's approach. His "Fastball down the middle for a called strike" in the 5th sounded exasperated. Wayne disagreed, gently, by pointing out that he thought the previous batter, Reyes, was too anxious jumping at the first pitch after two consecutive walks by Redding. When Castillo went after the first pitch in the 7th Howie found it "surprising". Wayne admitted he is an "enigma".

Howie had me laughing with his numerous references to the insects (mosquitos/gnats). He even tied it in with reference to The Honeymooners and then tied that to Tim Redding (his great Aunt is Joyce Randolph).