Have the Mets turned the corner?

Before heading out on a seven game swing to Atlanta & Colorado, the Mets swept a rain shortened 2 game series from the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. After the sweep, it was off to Atlanta where the Mets got swept, and then on to Colorado, where they lost 2 out of 3. It was right before that trip when Mets Manager Willie Randolph made his controversial comments that prompted a meeting with Mets brass on Memorial Day. Mets General Manager Omar Minaya said that the meeting was held to give Randolph a chance to explain himself, and to find ways to make the Mets a better ball club.

After the meeting, the Mets went out, and lost the first of a three game series to Florida 7-3. SNY, the Mets television network, said during the second game of the series against Florida, that Mets management might have told Wille to tinker with the lineup to try and spark the team. So, tinker with the lineup he did. He started Ramon Castro at Catcher. Damion Easley at 1st base, and Fernando Tatis in right field. It turns out that those three drove in 5 RBI's in a Mets 5-3 victory on Tuesday, May 27th.

Coming into the game last night, May 28th, the Mets looked like they had a bit more bounce in their step. They got off to a fast start using the same lineup as the night before, as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Florida, thanks to a 2-run HR by Luis Castillo in the bottom of the first. The score stayed that way until the top of third, when Mike Rabelo of the Marlins hit a solo shot off of Oliver Perez to tie the score at 1. Oliver pitched a good game, but left in the top of the seventh trailing 5-4 after a 3 run HR by Cody Ross.

On came the bullpen, which has usually been a headache for Mets fans. However, Scott Schoeneweis relieved Perez and did an outstanding job. Schoeneweis was relieved by Aaron Heilman, who also did an excellent job by striking out four of the six batters he faced. In the bottom of the ninth, Randolph decided to use Endy Chavez as a pinch hitter. It turned out to be the right decision, as Chavez hit a tying solo homer over the right field wall.
The score remained tied until Alfredo Amezaga hit a go ahead solo HR off of Duaner Sanchez to give Florida a 6-5 lead in the top of the 12th. Many Mets fans I'm sure thought that the game was over at that point. However, that's why they call it "last licks"

After a walk to David Wright, and a single by Carlos Beltran, Fernando Tatis, one of Willie's "super subs" as SNY's Ron Darling calls them, hit a game winning two run double into deep left field to win the game, and send the Mets fans home happy. So, heading into a 4 game set against L.A., the question has to be asked: Have the Mets turned the corner?