Mets 7 – D’backs 4
PHOENIX – Vance Wilson’s name is often that late-inning announcement that’s so easy to disregard. He comes in as a defensive replacement. He’s called on to pinch run. Hardly headline-worthy stuff.
But make no mistake about it: Despite his lack of publicity, the Mets’ backup catcher is a valuable contributor to the team. And playing close to his hometown last night, Wilson proved why.
Starting for just the sixth time this season, Wilson was the hero in the Mets’ 7-4 win over the Diamondbacks. The Mesa, Ariz., native drilled a three-run homer that turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 advantage, and the Mets never trailed again.
“It’s probably the sweetest home run trot I’ve ever had,” said Wilson, whose first homer of the season was seen by 35 friends and family members in the stands. “I probably should’ve taken a little more time around the bases.”
It was the second straight huge win for the Mets, who are proving how wildly unpredictable this 2004 outfit is. In this four-game series against the Diamondbacks, the Mets (16-19) lost to Casey Daigle and Elmer Dessens, but beat Randy Johnson and Brandon Webb. Good luck figuring out that one; Art Howe couldn’t.
“Baseball’s the craziest game there is on earth,” the Mets manager said. “[Winning these two games] gives you confidence. You beat two of the better pitchers in the league.”
The victory also was important considering the pitching slate the Mets will face this weekend in Houston. Just in case you’ve been in hiding, the Astros will pitch Roy Oswalt and two guys named Pettitte and Clemens. And with Al Leiter likely out of Sunday’s game with shoulder soreness, the weekend had already been tinged with pessimism.
Wilson wasn’t the only contributor last night. Danny Garcia had two hits, including a solo homer, and scored two runs. Kaz Matsui reached base three times and scored two runs. In his first game back, Cliff Floyd had an RBI single.
Even Arizona left fielder Luis Gonzalez helped out the Mets when he dropped Eric Valent’s fly ball, allowing the Mets to score an unearned run in the seventh.
Still, the story was Wilson.
His heroics came in the fourth with Matsui on second and Ty Wigginton on first. With two outs, Wilson strode to the plate against Webb, Arizona’s terrific second-year right-hander.
Before the game, Art Howe was asked why Wilson was hitting sixth, particularly when Mike Cameron was down in the seven-hole. Replied Howe, “The last game [Wilson started on Sunday], he helped us win with a couple of doubles.”
Two pitches later, Wilson rewarded his manager’s faith.
On an 0-1 pitch, Wilson launched an arcing drive down the left-field line. For a moment, it appeared as if the ball might curve foul, but the blast stayed true, touching down deep in the lower stands.
The Mets added another run in the inning on Garcia’s RBI single, making it a four-run frame. It was the team’s biggest outburst in an inning since last Wednesday’s six-run frame against the Giants.
Jae Seo (2-3) was decent in his five innings, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks. But incredibly, he once again fell victim not to control or command issues, but to his troublesome right index finger, exiting with a blister. Seo suffered from the same calamities last year, but both Howe and Seo said the righty probably will make his next scheduled start.
