Jerry Manuel (pictured) had some colorful things to say about the atmosphere at Shea Stadium this season before the Mets kept the good times rolling with a 3-1 win in Denver over the Rockies. The Amazin’s third consecutive series victory left them just 3 1/2 games behind the Phillies in the NL East. Former Yankees great Goose Gossage thinks Manuel’s predecessor, Willie Randolph, got a raw deal from the Mets with his late-night firing. Gossage and Randolph were longtime teammates in The Bronx.

Manuel, meanwhile, has started something with his pitchers that really seems to be catching on.

In the notebook, Manuel tells reporters that he wouldn’t be surprised if Moises Alou hangs them up because of all of the left fielder’s injuries. We also have items on Luis Castillo and Ryan Church.