David Wright was talking before the game about the importance of scoring early, saying it creates a positive, aggressive feeling right out of the gate. Over their last five games, the Mets outscored the opposition 15-2 in the first inning.
They just gave Pedro Martinez a 3-0 lead in the first. If Pedro is to break his winless string of starts at seven, this seems as good a game as any. The key, of course, in seizing momentum is holding it. Roger Clemens once said a fundamental pitching law is holding the other team scoreless after your team gives you a crooked number on the board.
Martinez struggled in the first, but Endy Chavez picked him up with a tremendous throw to nail Craig Counsell at the plate to end the inning. Willie Randolph switched Chavez with Lastings Milledge because he preferred Chavez’s arm in right. Chavez has seven assists for third best in the majors.