The Ageless Wonder

Julio Franco came into last nights game as the oldest player in the majors at 47. He finished the game as the oldest player in history to hit a home run.

Franco helped the Mets to overcome an early hitting drought by hitting a pinch-hit 2-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to help propel the Mets into the lead and helped ignite a 6-run inning. The Mets were having trouble all game with Jake Peavy, but as soon as he left, the bats came alive again.

Endy Chavez helped get a run across with a drag bunt down the first base line, that would score Reyes from third and Carlos Delgado blasted his 6th home run of the season. Cliff Floyd added an RBI single also in the inning.

The Mets got a needed boost from an unknown source, Kaz Matsui, playing his first game this year, after starting the year on the disabled list, hit an inside-the-park home run in the third inning to bring the Mets within one at the time to make the score 2-1. This was the third straight season that Matsui hit a home run in his first at bat of the year(A Major League Record). If he can hit in the eighth spot in the lineup, he will be a great piece to an already deep lineup. He also turned an inning ending double play that David Wright started that was the turning point of the game. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Wright dove to his left for a wicked ground ball headed to the gap between short and third and tossed to Matsui for the out at second and Matsui threw on to first to complete the double play. That play enabled the Mets to stay within one run heading into the eighth inning.

The Mets improved to 11-4, regaining the best record in the league. They have 9 games left on their current West Coast trip.

Game Notes:
Jose Reyes 2 for 5, R, SB (6)
Carlos Delgado 2 for 4, R, 2 RBI, HR
Kaz Matsui 1 for 4, R, RBI, HR (inside the park)
Julio Franco 1 for 1, R, 2 RBI, HR (pinch-hit)