Battling Back

Last night, pitcher John Maine led the New York Mets to their 3rd victory in June, beating the Minnesota Twins 8-1.  Maine allowed 4 hits through 7 1/3 innings, earning his second win in just eight starts.  The Mets garnered a commanding lead in the 8th, sparked by Ricky Ledee's homer, Jose Reyes serpentining to 2nd via a single and a stolen base, and Paul Lo Duca's single.  The subsequent line-up of Carlos Beltran and David Wright both earned doubles, sending Reyes and Lo Duca home.  The final batter of the inning, Carlos Gomez, procured a sacrifice fly that sent Beltran home with the Mets leading 8-1, albeit ending the inning.

Winning has proved illusive for the Mets this June.  Offensive injuries, sluggish pitching and a lengthy away game streak induced a 2-11 slide, following an exceptionally strong start.  The Met host the Twins at Shea Stadium again tonight, ardently looking for their first consecutive win in June this year.