Steve and the Tank! - Can John Maine, The Tank, and Paperbag Kid Save the Mets Season? (Saturday's game)

Can John Maine, The Tank, and Paperbag Kid Save the Mets Season? (Saturday's game)

I am running on fumes -- four hours of sleep after the Aussie Rules Football Grand Final late Friday night (early Saturday morning) and having to troubleshoot an issue at work early Saturday morning.

The Mets early runs came with two outs. Beltran singles home Castillo.  The Mets lead 4-0. The Marlins change pitchers but Alou singles home Delgado. The Mets lead 5-0.

"The Natural" movie song and inspirational video comes on in between innings.

Castro singles. Milledge homers over the left field fence. Mets 7 - Marlins 0. Four Phillies fans with "Choke '07" on the back of their t-shirts parade around Shea in front of my Mezzanine position. They are booed and showered with beer, food, and rubbish.

Reyes bunts Maine to second. Castillo doubles home Maine. Mets 8 - Marlins 0. Wright grounds out. Beltran flies out to center. At the end of three, Mets 8 - Marlins 0.

With two out in the fourth inning, a lady behind me almost jinxes Maine's no hitter. Aussie Rod is forgiven for his earlier reference because this is his first visit to Shea. Aussie Rod and I exchange comparisons between cricket and baseball. In cricket, if the ball hits the batter's hand while he is batting, the ball is considered in play while it would be a hit by pitch or possibly a foul ball depending where and how it hit. Quite fascinating.

Milledge hits his second home run of the game to the Mets lead to 9-0.  Maine strikes out. Jose doubles down the first baseline. Castillo is almost hit by a pitch and a fight almost breaks out. Tempers are momentarily calmed.

Castillo then walks on four pitches. Another pitching change. A few pitches later, a real fight breaks out after Jose and a Marlin exchange words.

Harvey Garcia is the new pitcher and his first pitch is way inside to DW. His second pitch was hit past the shortstop. Reyes scores. Mets 10-Marlins 0.

Beltran strikes out. The "A-Lou" cheers are lead by the Paperbag Kid pictured below.

Alou flies out to shallow left field. Speaking of Alou, he makes a great catch to preserve the no-hitter to end the top of the sixth.

Castro hits a home run to extend the Mets lead to 11-0. Milledge hits a sure out dribbler down the first baseline but the pitcher misses it and overthrows first. Milledge advances to second. Maine pops up to
first. The crowd rises to its feet as Jose comes to the plate. Jose pops up to short and lead 11-0 at the end of the sixth.

Andino hits a ball off DW's glove but Reyes recovers to throw out Andino at first. Uggla hits a ball that DW can't field but the third base umpire rules it foul. Uggla unfortunately works out a walk. Jeremy Hermida strikes out after being up 3-0. Amezaga pops up to DW. Through the top of the seventh, Mets 11-Marlins 0. Get up and stretch, it's the Seventh Inning Stretch.

The Mets add another run as I go to the restroom. Mets 12 - Marlins 0.

The Paperbag Kid is wilting in the sun but the nearby fans urge him NOT take the bag off his head. Asphyxiation is a high price to pay to but the Mets have never had a no-hitter. Not Ryan, not Seaver. Is today the day that history is made? When will the Paperbag Kid ever breathe (regularly) again?

The first batter strikes out after 3-0. The second flies out to Alou.  Hoover hits a dribbler down the third baseline but DW didn't throw it. Darn it! To the din of the crowd, Willie pulls Maine and brings in Willie Collazo.

A "Let's Go Nationals" cheer rocks Shea as the Nationals score an early run in the first inning against the Phillies

Newhan singles home a run in the bottom of the eighth. Mets 13 - Marlins 0.

Gomez makes a great sliding catch on Andino in center.  Muniz gets Abercombie out and the Mets win 13-0.

Posted by the Tank reporting Live from Shea Stadium, Queens.

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Sunday, September 30, 2007 7:10:18 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

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