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.
Saturday's win showcased the Mets' strengths -- offense and relief pitching -- but it didn't help any concerns about the starting rotation. Steve Trachsel got a four-run lead but couldn't finish the fourth inning, and the Mets lost that 4-0 lead to trail, 5-4, before they rallied off the Dodgers' bullpen. They'll be favorites against either opponent in the next round, but as the Yankees have shown, that doesn't punch any tickets.
Photo by AP/Francis Specker
