Mets 10, Phillies 5: Better Days Have Not Been Seen

This friends, is the ultimate.  For me, a Mets fan living in exile in Philadelphia, there is nothing quite like a sweep of the Phillies.  It gives me bragging rights over my in-laws, the pleasure of an entire day of schadenfreude as I listen to Philly sports radio all day, and, best of all, three games in the standings over Satan's Own Team.  

Clearly I have not been making daily posts, and I am to blame for that, friends.  I was without internet in the mountains over the weekend as the Mets shook off four straight losses to take the last two games of the series against the Diamondbacks.  Santana got his first win of the season and St. Dickey came THIS CLOSE to a complete game victory, but had to settle for an eight-inning victory.  Best of all, he was pissed about it.  Good to see that fire!

Then the story of this series against the Phillies is the absolutely glorious way that the Mets won.  They weren't your run of the mill 'get ahead and coast' victories that are so easy to enjoy, all three were come-from-behind ruckuses that featured an absolutely ABHORRENT Philadelphia bullpen and some timely hitting by the Mets.  

Game one, the Mets fell behind Halladay 2-0 and I was like "Well forget this," and switched to the Rangers game.  Then within the span of 15 seconds, the Rangers tied the game with six seconds left in regulation, and Jordany Valdespin socked a three-run homer off of Jonathan Papelbon for his first career hit, and, more importantly, the go-ahead runs.  

Last night with former Major League pitcher Miguel Batista on the mound, the Mets fell behind like, 4-0 after two, but were able to come back as the Phillies bullpen crapped the bed again.  

In fact, when the Mets fell behind tonight 2-0, I was actually encouraged!  I was more encouraged when Charlie Manuel left Kyle Kendrick in for like, 10 too many batters, and Ike Davis crushed an absolute monster of a dinger off of Jose Contreras, much to my delight.  Then Andres Torres was like "Hey, me too," and the Phillies announcers were just SO BUMMED.  I know Phillies fans are counting the days until Howard and Utley get back, but the middle relief is just awful and should be a major area of concern.   

SO it's five in a row for the Mets who are, don't look now, just a half game behind the Nationals   and Braves as they travel to the new Marlins Park, aka Liberace's Playground, for a three-game set against the suddenly hot Marlins (seven wins in their last 10 games).  More Heath Bell meltdowns please (although they'll have to come in the eighth this time around).