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Posted: Monday, 19 May 2008 9:38AM

Coleman's Corner: A Step Forward

Ed Coleman

New York, NY (WFAN)  -- Maybe this will get us going. I'm sure that's what the Mets are thinking and hoping after their shortened weekend sweep of the Yankees at the Stadium. And I'm sure they'd rather be playing today as opposed to traveling to Atlanta for a day-night doubleheader on Tuesday, but it is what it is.

The Mets offense seems to be flowing a lot better. Three times - the 4th inning Saturday and the 4th and 8th innings Sunday - they batted around the lineup, scoring 13 of the 18 runs they compiled over the weekend.

Carlos Delgado was robbed - that was obvious to everyone except for Bob Davidson, Alfonso Marquez and Andy Fletcher. 3B umpire Mike Reilly had it right at first, but he must not have been very convinced because the others talked him out of it rather easily. Pretty good case for replay right there, but baseball doesn't want to let it in because they fear it will inevitably expand to plays at the plate, etc.

Delgado lost three RBI on the bad call, but got one back with a single that drove in Ryan Church after his AB continued - that RBI made him the major league's all-time RBI leader in interleague play, his 140th, one more than Manny Ramirez.

Listen To Post Game Audio:
Carlos Delgado
Willie Randolph
Moises Alou

Church continues to impress. He actually missed Jose Molina's lead-off double in the 5th, but Oliver Perez bore down and retired Damon, Abreu and Jeter in order to avoid any damage. Then Church smashed his team-best 9th HR leading off the 6th. Church is batting. 307 but has been scorching on the road - he has a .377 batting average away from Shea, just .237 at home.

The other half of that deal is red-hot as well. Catcher Brian Schneider, over the last month (since April 18), is hitting .340 with 2 HR and 8 RBI. And his play at the plate on Saturday, blocking Johnny Damon's foot, was a textbook thing of beauty.

Carlos Beltran had his 9-game hitting streak snapped on Sunday night, although he did draw his 28th walk, one behind David Wright who leads the team with 29. Beltran hit .368 (14-38) during the streak.

The Mets starters are pitching well and the bullpen is rested, a good sign for the upcoming road trip. Atlanta's been ridiculous at Turner Field (16-5) and they can't win on the road (6-16), and Colorado might be starting to turn things around. They're now tied with Florida in the loss column in the National League East - the goal is to be ahead of the Marlins when they get back to Shea and meet them for three starting next Monday.

C U in Buckhead & LoDo

Eddie C.

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