For a team used to making miracles, conjuring up a disaster had an especially bitter taste. With a sloppily played 8-1 loss to Florida and the Phillies' 6-1 win against the Nationals, the Mets' season ended about a month too early. The loss capped an agonizing stretch of two and a half weeks in which the Mets played some of the worst teams in the National League and still played their worst baseball of the season. more ›

• Mets 2, Cardinals 1 (11 innings): No matter how many times the Mets beat the Cardinals in the regular season, the sting from last year's loss in the National League Championship Series won't disappear until New York takes a pennant. Going 4-0 in their first four games against the Cardinals this season doesn't hurt, though. Shawn Green hit a 3-2 pitch off the scoreboard in right field to give the Mets a walk-off win. The Cardinals won the World Series last year, but the Mets can take solace in not hitting someone like Scott Spiezio in the cleanup spot. Jorge Sosa and the Mets bullpen combined to shut down the Cardinals lineup, which consisted of Albert Pujols and not much else.
• Staten Island 7, Hudson Valley 3: Luis Nunez went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and the Baby Bombers scored in every inning from the second through the sixth.
• Brooklyn 5, Aberdeen 4: Down a run entering the eighth, the Cyclones rallied when Will Vogl singled in the tying run and scored the go-ahead one at home. David Koons threw three innings of one-run ball for the win in relief.

Shawn Green had a big night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and home run, while driving in three. The two Carlos’s both got two hits and the Mets finally got to enjoy an easy night at the ballpark. more ›

With the Mets outfield still affected by injuries, Beltran needs to step up. His problem is his banged-quad, an ailment that is clearly affecting him at the plate. Who knows when Moises Alou will return? Shawn Green will likely see a decline after his hot start. Carlos Gomez has been all but useless. Why not try Ricky Ledee instead? The journeyman outfielder hit a home run to help his cause Monday. On Tuesday, the Mets face American Leauge Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana. Good luck with that. more ›

And win the Yankees did, answering the call and avoiding a total collapse at Shea. Jeter, Posada and A-Rod went deep while Tyler Clippard pitched six brilliant innings. This game will mean nothing at all if the Red Sox beat up on them tomorrow, but the Yankees have one night where they can feel like a good team again. more ›

• White Sox 4, Yankees 1: Despite entering the day leading the Major Leagues in runs scored, the Yankees offense hasn't looked great of late. White Sox starter Jon Garland became the latest opponent to shut down the Yankees bats, which were the main culprit on this 2-4 start to the road trip. Fans can't decide what to make of this team. Should they be glad their team is finally pitching better, or should they be upset the offense is wasting the newfound success on the mound? Probably the former. The Yankees and Mets square off for three games at Shea this weekend, and there's little doubt the Yankees need them more. more ›

Coming into the game, Zambrano had been a mess, but Tuesday he was back in form, striking out three while allowing six hits over eight innings. The Cubs backed that up with 15 hits, including three by Cliff Floyd and a monster home run by Aramis Ramirez. Shawn Green homered to give the Mets their only run and Carlos Delgado left the game after being hit in the finger, he is day-to-day. Jorge Sosa faces Rich Hill tomorrow night (weather permitting). more ›

It doesn’t make up for the NLCS, but the Mets got 2007 off to a great start, pummeling Chris Carpenter and getting a great start from Tom Glavine. Paul LoDuca had 3 RBI’s and Carlos Delgado had 2, while Shawn Green got off to a good start with a 2-for-4 night at the plate. more ›

Windows of opportunity in baseball often come in small sizes. After coming within a run of the National League pennant last season, the Mets hope their chance hasn't run out yet. Make no mistake, the Mets remain a force to be reckoned with and could end up finishing with a better result than they did last season. But they shouldn't expect the regular-season cakewalk they had last season, and they can't hope to be the prohibitive favorites to win the pennant. This year's edition is a talented but flawed team. more ›

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Steve Trachsel's 15 wins during the regular season didn't help him Saturday. The luck that gave him that total despite a 4.97 ERA abandoned him. The righty gave up five runs without getting an out in the second inning, and his Mets trail the Cardinals two games to one in this best-of-seven National League Championship Series. more ›

Paul Lo Duca, Shawn Green and Guillermo Mota all hurt their former team and led the Mets to a 9-5 win over Los Angeles as the Mets swept the National League Division Series. Lo Duca had two RBIs, Green had three hits, and Mota threw two innings of scoreless relief. The win gives the Mets three off-days before they host the winner of the St. Louis-San Diego matchup in the NL Championship Series on Wednesday. more ›

After rain washed out Tuesday's action, plenty of tennis made up for the lost time on Wednesday. Mikhail Youzhny took out Rafael Nadal in four sets, opening the draw for Andy Roddick, who disposed of Lleyton Hewitt. Roddick has enjoyed a resurgence since he hired Jimmy Connors. His backhand has improved -- it couldn't get worse -- and his attitude has changed. Could Roddick beat Roger Federer if they met in the final on Sunday? Their history doesn't suggest so, but it would be the most intriguing match. more ›

-Mets 6 Cardinals 2: If this is a preview of the NLCS, the Mets have nothing to worry about. New York completed its sweep of St. Louis by jumping out to a 3-0 lead and then adding some insurance right after the Cardinals made it close. Carlos Delgado continued his hot streak with his 32nd home run and Shawn Green started off his Mets career with a 1-3 night and a RBI. more ›

-Mets 8 Cardinals 7: It is a very real possibility that these two teams will be facing off in October with a trip to the World Series on the line. If that does happen, the Mets took a huge psychological advantage with their win tonight. Down 7-1, Carlos Delgado hit a grand slam; his second home run of the game and Carlos Beltran sent them home happy in the ninth with a two-run blast off of Jason Isringhausen. All the runs overcame two homers and seven RBI’s by the amazing Albert Pujols. more ›

Johnson, a 41 year old lefty, is an intimidating presence when on the pitcher's mound. Standing at 6'10" and with arms that seem to go on for miles, it often seems like he is pitching from behind a left-handed batter's head. Problematic when you've got only a spit second to determine if a pitch is a ball or strike. In 2004, Johnson was 16-14 with a 2.60 ERA in 245.2 innings pitched. He also had a whopping 290 strikeouts. more ›