Positives In A Negative

"No such thing as a good loss," claims an old adage. But last night's Mets 13 inning, 8-7, lose certainly had some positives.

For one, look at the final score. The Mets scored seven, count 'em, SEVEN runs. That was about three games worth of runs in on the West Coast trip that opened the second half.

And, to make the outburst all the more impressive, all the offense came after the Mets were down six runs.

Johan Santana had an awful opening frame allowing six runs and eight hits, but Jerry Manuel's club didn't quit. As a matter of fact, the Mets were one big hit away from putting Cardinals rookie sensation Jaime Garcia through the same misery in the first as Santana, denting the plate twice and bringing the tying run to the plate with the bases loaded.

Still, the Mets were down four going into the eighth. That's when Cards skipper Tony La Russa led a parade of bearded Red Bird relievers to the hill.

An Angel Pagan two-run homer and a big two-out two-run pinch-hit single by Ike Davis and Mets has tied up a game that seemed squandered before a turn at bat.

No, the Mets didn't win the game, but they demonstrated that quitting is not their modus operandi. This team won't quit on a game, and it won't give up on a season.


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A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain, the two hurlers that concern Yankees fans most, combined for seven scoreless innings. Yes, it was against the woeful Indians, but it was a good showing nonetheless.

Alex Rodriguez is still sitting on home run number 599. While there's no question that A-Rod has behaved differently over the past couple of years, he's still having trouble with milestone homers.

The Yankees starting pitcher tonight will be Dustin Moseley. That's the same Dustin Moseley that... never mind, he hasn't done anything in his career to this point that's worth mentioning. But, that may change tonight, he is starting against the woeful Indians.

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According to numerous reports, it's now up to Roy Oswalt to decide whether he wants to feel the brotherly love in Philadelphia.

If Oswalt chooses to wave his no-trade instead of waiving it, he deserves to finish out the rest of his career in the obscurity of Houston.