That would be Matt Chico and John Maine. Maine got the better of Chico last night, something Jack Albertson rarely did to Freddie Prinze back in the 70's, tossing six and two-thirds strong innings before walking Christian Guzman and Ronnie Belliard and yelling an expletive that would not have made it past the NBC censors as Willie Randolph (who was playing the role of Scatman Crothers) came out to get him. Joe Smith finished the inning and the 8th, and Billy Wagner had a 1-2-3 ninth to close out a 5-2 Mets victory.
Both team scored a single run in the 1st, as Maine walked two and looked generally shaky. Ryan Church's homer in the bottom of the inning tied it, and then Austin Kearns homered in the 4th to untie it. The Mets took the lead they would never relinquish in the 5th on a solo shot by Jose Reyes, and a three-run smash by Carlos Beltran, both their first dingers of the season.
There was a Chad Cordero sighting for the Nats, but his fastball was a no-show. The flat-brimmed one clearly still has a bum shoulder, and could not break 81 mph with his heater. He was good enough to retire the side in order, but what was he doing out there? The guy needs to go back on the Disabled List. It's not like the Nats will sniff a pennant race this season, and he's only 26. Baseball GM's befuddle me sometimes.
The Mets are now 7-6, still a game and a half behind Florida, who beat Atlanta for the second straight time, and a game ahead of Philadelphia, who failed to mount a second consecutive 9th inning comeback at home against Houston. Florida's cupcake April schedule continues with another game against Atlanta followed by three home games against the Nats before heading to Atlanta for three. Finally they'll play a team with a winning record (maybe) when they travel to Milwaukee on April 25th. Don't worry, the Fish will start stinking it up before too long.
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