Maybe Willie Randolph (pictured) should have gone to his bench a long time ago. Randolph is able to breathe a little easier after the reserves came through against the Marlins for the second night in a row, carrying the Mets to a thrilling, 7-6 comeback win in 12 innings. The play of the bench in the past two games, coupled with his season-long struggles at the plate, could turn first baseman Carlos Delgado into a part-time player himself.

After taking two of three from the Marlins, the Mets now host Joe Torre and the Dodgers in a four-game series starting tonight. Colleague Kevin Kernan says Randolph should start managing more like Torre, his former boss.

In the notebook, we run down what is likely to be Pedro Martinez’s only minor-league rehab assignment before his expected return to the rotation next Tuesday, as well as offer items on Ryan Church, Moises Alou and others.