Notes from Citi Field

In my first, and likely only, major league game for the year, the Mets won a back and forth game against the D-backs with a sac fly in the ninth, 5 to 4. Highlights:

- Mark Reynolds of Arizona went 0 for 4, all strikeouts, thus gaining the coveted Golden Sombrero.

- The Yankees fan behind me was completely lost by a double switch and could not fathom why a pitcher was suddenly not in the number 9 batting slot.

- Three guys in front of us were loudly heckling players in French, which is unusual this side of the Quebec border, to say the least.

- Managers showed off the wheel play, not to mention every infield and outfield depth variation you can sensibly imagine. Add well executed bunts and a few infield singles, and the level of eighties NL style little ball on display was excellent.

- Citi Field has been improved a lot in Mets specific ways, from the life affirming orange paint job in the exit stairwells to the much needed Mets Hall of Fame.

- Starting pitchers Takahashi and Enfield were very sharp, throwing strikes and making plays with the bat, too. Impressive.

All in all, a very fun game in front of a friendly, enthusiastic crowd on a gorgeous evening for baseball. Vive la la Ligue Nationale!

And speaking of luck

The Arizona Diamondbacks' incredible luck seems to have deserted them, out-mojoed by the Rockies' ridiculous streak. For those not counting, Colorado has now won 20 of 21 games at the business end of the season, including just enough wins over division foes to force a one game playoff for the wild card spot (which they won) and now a 6-0 postseason start equalled only by the 1976 Big Red Machine.

After losing to the Marlins on September 15, Colorado was 3 games behind LA and Philadelphia, 4.5 behind San Diego, and 7.5 games behind the Mets. Then the miracle began: a four game sweep of the Dodgers, three from the Padres, three from the free falling Dodgers again, then a 4-2 loss to Arizona that put the Rockies two games back of San Diego with two to play. Milwaukee, down to their last strike, came back to stop the Padres, beat them again on Fan Appreciation Day, Colorado took the last two from the D-backs, everyone else lost enough games to help out, and bam! One game playoff. The rest is history still being written.

Will this bizarre run continue? Don't bet on it. But don't bet against it, either. I, for one, will be staying up very late tonight to find out.

Ok, fine

France beat New Zealand, too. I give up. The Antipodes suck.

So, back to baseball- the Cubs' dream has just been denied for the 99th consecutive year. Is anyone shocked? I am a little, if only because of this statistic for the Arizona Diamondbacks:

Runs scored: 712
Runs allowed: 732

What business does a team that was outscored have racking up a record of 90-72? This may be the luckiest team since the 1960 Pirates. And they were only that lucky for seven games.