Mets beat Cards, 7-2

The Mets' Mike Pelfry did a marvelous job tonight pitching 7 excellent innings and allowing just one run. The bullpen managed to hold fast despite Duaner Sanchez having another poor outing and the Mets beat the Cardinals 7-2 in the first of a three game series. (It's peculiar how, just when Jerry Manuel expresses his support of Sanchez, saying he's comfortable he can handle the closers role in Wagner's absence early this week, Sanchez has all kinds of problems.)

The Phils lost to Atlanta, 8-2, and the Marlins defeated Chicago 3-2. That gives both the Phils and Marlins identical 54-49 records while the Mets move 2 games ahead at 56-47.

Pedro Martinez was originally scheduled to start on Saturday, but with his father's passing he has been back in the Dominican Republic. Instead Brandon Knight, 32, has been called up from New Orleans to be the spot starter.

Knight is 5-1 with a 1.60 ERA and has struckout 49 batters while walking only 10 in 39 1/3 innings for the Zyphers. Knight's appearance in a Mets uniform--in fact ANY major league uniform is something of a surprise. He was contimplating retirement from baseball during the winter.

Only months after considering retirement, Knight has enjoyed something of a renaissance in the Minor Leagues, even earning a roster spot on Team USA for the Beijing Olympics. He began this season with the Somerset (N.J.) Patriots of the Atlantic League, before the Mets took notice and offered him a Minor League contract in May.

(from the Mets web site)

So it looks like no matter what he does tomorrow, he's heading fro China once the game is over. Wish him luck.