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The New York Mets’ magic number is 60.
OK, so maybe it’s a little early to be talking magic numbers – especially in light of last season’s finish – but the Mets did grab sole possession of first place in the National League East Thursday afternoon with a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Oliver Perez threw 7 2/3 strong innings of one-run ball while striking out 12, keeping it tied until Carlos Delgado put the Mets out front with a two-out, two-run double in the eighth.
Billy Wagner again got the save, but the win went to Aaron Heilman, who pitched to just one batter but got Jayson Werth to fly out to center to end the eighth.
Perez lost his bid for the first New York Mets no hitter in the first inning when Pat Burrell singled to left, putting the “tragic number” – a k a our NoNoHitters.com count – at 7,422 games.
Robair and I were at the game! The win was a little more satisfying, but it’s a little inane to suggest that Oliver Perez did not contribute to this win. The only mistakes he made were the homer to Wertz and not getting Ryan Howard (who was going for the Golden Sombrero) out in the eighth. Aaron Heilman comes in and throws just three pitches and gets the win.
I never suggested that Oliver Perez didn’t contribute to this win. That’s nowhere in the post. The guy pitched a great game and gave the Mets a chance for the victory. I just said that Heilman got the win – as in the W.