MET NOTES
The Mets responded to Monday night’s division clinching by resting all eight regular players. It was a motley crew of Mets in the starting lineup last night after the team earned its first NL East title since 1988.
Anderson Hernandez led off and played short, Endy Chavez was in center, Lastings Milledge was in left, Julio Franco played third, Michael Tucker started at first, Chris Woodward was the second baseman, Ricky Ledee played right and Mike DiFelice caught.
Franco made only his second career start at third, his other coming Oct. 2, 1982, as a Phillie versus the Mets. Tucker had only started 18 career games at first entering this season.
“We’ve got our A-minus squad out there tonight, and we’ll probably end up scoring 10 runs,” Randolph said.
Not quite, but they eked out a 3-2 victory over the Marlins. Randolph acknowledged the Mets have a responsibility to play out the schedule with integrity because they’re facing wild-card hopefuls such as Florida.
“But I’m going to look out for my team first,” he answered.
You would’ve never guessed that a raucous celebration took place in the home clubhouse, as the plastic wrap was gone, the rug looked vacuumed and cleaned and there was no discernible smell of champagne.
The Mets were allowed to report at 5:30 p.m. and there was no BP, but many of the players showed up hours earlier than that.
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Billy Wagner said the Mets should shoot to win 100 games, a feat they can accomplish by going 8-4 in their final 12.
“I think the worst thing for any of us is to try to pitch in a spring-training role,” Wagner said. “You’ve got to pitch like you’ve got a one-game lead and you’ve got to keep that intensity.”
Wagner thinks players should continue to work hard and refine their craft before the Division Series begins.
“Honestly, if this was a one-run game [Monday] night, I don’t get away with the [garbage] I threw,” he said. “I was all over the place.”
Wagner struck out the side in last night’s 3-2 victory over Florida, although he allowed a two-out single to Miguel Cabrera before whiffing Chris Aguila on 96 mph heat. He’s now converted his last 17 saves and 25 of 26.
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The Mets won their 30th one-run game, most in the majors. They are 23-7 in Tom Glavine’s starts.
