Back to Back wins: Win 6-2

When Brian Stokes came in the 8th inning, and his first batter, Milton Bradley hit a pop up that Francoeur and Pagan failed to catch, you thought it was all over. Bradley came in to score later in that inning, making it 1-1, meaning there would be no win for Bobby Parnell despite the right hander's 7 scoreless, striking out 7, walking 3 and giving up 5 hits. 11% of his pitches were swinging strikes, which is 4% above average. He loaded the bases with none out in the 7th, but struck out Mike Fontenot, Kosuke Fukodome and got his glove in front of a Ryan Theriot lined shot. Overall he pitched pretty well, but it's only his second good start.
The Mets scored in the second when Cory Sullivan homered. Then in the 8th, with the score tied 1-1, Castillo singled to lead off the inning, Wright singled moving Castillo to third, then Tatis (pinch hitting for Murphy) singled in Castillo. A wild pitch moved runners to second and third, and Francoeur was intentionally walked. Sullivan then singled to left to make it 3-1, then Santos hit a chopper over the drawn in infield to make it 5-1. Anderson Hernandez singled to make it 6-1, but then Stokes was out bunting runners to second and third, and then Pagan struck out and Castillo grounder out to end the inning. The Cubs had the bases loaded in the 9th, causing Blow-Rod to come in, but he got the job done, getting Ramirez to pop out, and striking out Jake Fox for his 29th save.
Stupid Decision of the Day: I was planning on making a big thing about how pinch hitting Murphy with Tatis was dumb, but then Tatis singled, so I didn't have to.
Random Thought of the Day: This home run by Sullivan means he starts for the next week, doesn't it. Why is Nick Evans in Jerry's doghouse?
Clutch Play of the Game: Wright single in 8th moving Castillo to third. +.175 WPA.
Bryce Harper Sweepstakes™: With the win it means the Mets now have the 10th pick, but only 2 back (ahead) of the A's for 5th pick, 7 back (ahead) of the Pirates for third pick, and are 15 back (ahead) of the Nats for number one, which is probably out of reach.
Up Next for the Mets: Cubs at Mets. 1:10 PM
Nelson Figueroa (2-3 4.50 ERA 4.52 FIP 6.14 tRA) takes on
Rich Harden (8-8 4.19 ERA 4.44 FIP 5.05 tRA)

130 down, 32 to go. Lose 11-4

The Positives: 4 hitters had 2 hit games, Francoeur and Schneider knocked in a pair each with doubles, Bobby Parnell an 8/4 groundout-flyout ratio. He also had 10 swinging strikes out of 109 pitches.
The Negatives: Parnell gave up 8 runs in 4.2 innings. Lance Broadway gave up 2 in 3 (he did strike out 3 and walk 1). There were 3 players who went o-fer. The Mets only got 2 walks. Aaron Heilman shut us down in 2 innings.

Parnell has been pretty bad recently. Since being a starter, in 21 innings he has given up 29 hits, 10 walks, 24 runs, 4 homers. He has struck out 14. For those following at home, that is a 10.29 ERA, and a 5.77 FIP (so something says he's been unlucky). He should continue to make his last 6 starts, because the Mets have no one better. But, next year, I would stick him in the bullpen. He's much better there.

The Brian Schnedier Line: .188/.273/.319. Up from .179/.267/.307
Stupid Decision of the Day: Nothing. But the next time we face a lefty, I want Evans to play.
Random Thought of the Day: Where is Nick Evans? In Jerry's doghouse? He has just been a pinch hitter since he came up.
Clutch Play of the Game: Schneider double in the fourth. +.171 WPA.
Up Next for the Mets: Mets at Cubs, 2:20 ET
Nelson Figueroa (1-3 5.40 ERA 5.37 FIP 6.98 tRA) takes on
Carlos Zambrano (7-5 3.80 ERA 3.95 FIP 4.63 tRA)
Bruce Harper Sweepstakes™: Mets are tied for 8th. 2.5 back (ahead) of the Padres, for 5th. You can do it guys. You can win.