Gotta give Willie credit

I'm one of Willie's biggest critics, so it's only fair that when he does something I agree with that I give him credit. One of my biggest complaints is that he has failed to adapt to the National league or to situations within the team. Well the Mets returned to winning and sure it was against the lowly Nationals, but it was how the Mets won.

Willie finally worried less about Carlos Delgado's feelings and more about winning games. Delgado was moved down to the sixth spot for the first time this year, only for a short period last year was Delgado moved to the six hole but that was a very short lived when Alou went down. While I liked Church in the two hole, I can live with Castillo batting second as long as Church isn't buried at the bottom of the order.

In addition to the changes in the line-up, it was as if a light bulb went off and he realized that this was a small ball team. Twice, that I noticed a hit and run was on which avoided a double play, how many double plays did they hit into in Chicago. The Mets stole four bases, Angel Pagan generated one run on his own after his only hit of the game (single) he stole second, then third and scored on a hit by Schneider.

As far as the line-up it worked to perfection, Reyes struggled at the plate (stolen base when he did get on) but Castillo behind him served as the pesky table setter in Reyes absence going 2-5 with a stolen base, run and RBI. Wright was shut down but even he scored after walking and it wasn't as critical that he hit with Beltran and Church behind him. Beltran thrived with protection behind him going 2-4 (double) with 2 runs and a walk. Church stepped up in the five hole going 2-5 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Delgado cont. to struggle but it didn't have as much of a negative impact with him being further down in the order.

As far as the pitching staff, Santana was out standing through seven, then turned it over to set-up man Sanchez for the eighth and closer Wagner it was a picture perfect performance.