Mets win ninth straight heading into All-Star break

Do we have to take an All-Star break?

The New York Mets won their ninth straight game Sunday night as Mike Pelfrey threw eight innings of six-hit shutout ball and the Mets’ bats provided plenty of run support. The Phillies also won, which leaves the Mets a half game back in the National League East. I think I prefer being a half game back rather than a half game up at this point, as it sends the message that there’s a long way to go before anyone can label this season a success.

The Mets jumped on the board early when Carlos Beltran hammered a three-run shot over the left field bleachers in the first inning. Delgado also pried the giant apple out of the hat with a two-run blast in the fifth.

The Mets have now played 7,415 games without a single no-hitter. And, for the 26th time this season, the Mets lost the no-hitter on the first batter as Pelfrey yielded a leadoff single to Scott Podsednik. It’s the seventh time this season Pelfrey has given up a leadoff hit, so maybe he likes to get that Mets 46 1/2-year baggage out of way early.

But Pelfrey was once again incredibly sharp as he walked none (he did hit a batter in the eighth) and struck out five en route to his eighth victory of the season. Joe Smith gave up one hit in the ninth but kept the shutout in tact.

As far as these potential Mets No-hitters killed by first at bat, we are way over our quota for the year. Over the past 46 years, the Mets have averaged 19 first-batter no-hitter break-ups per season. This year we’ve already had 26 – and we’re just reaching the All-Star break. Amazing.