The most exciting play in baseball. The walk. The walkoff walk. (Photo by The Associated Press.)
There are wins and then there are wins.
And this was a win.
That's to say Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning triumph over the Braves was a really, really big game for the Amazin's. And for more than one reason.
1) You're coming off a seven-game winning streak. You don't want to give back two games right away. After watching the one that got away, Derek Lowe, shut down the offense Monday, the Mets really needed to get back on the right track. They did that. The win Tuesday helped validate the seven-game streak. Now it's eight-out-of-nine.
2) This was a game the Mets didn't deserve to win. Baserunning blunder after baserunning blunder -- none more mind-boggling than Jose Reyes burning the potential tying run by trying to stretch his two-RBI double into a two-RBI triple. According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, even Reyes knew he made a boneheaded play.
"Good hitting and stupid baserunning."
That's putting it mildly.
But throughout the season you are going to have games that you just don't deserve to win. The good teams steal a couple of those anyway. The Mets took a step in that direction Tuesday.
3) A comeback. Finally, a comeback. If you were watching on SNY, you saw the graphic showing the Mets had yet to come back to win when trailing in the ninth this season. Another thing a good team has to do. Another step in the right direction for the Amazin's.
4) It was the Braves. Do I really need to explain why a win -- any win -- over the Braves is a good thing? Didn't think so.
5) It was a walkoff walk. That's just quirky and you like to have quirky games to help get you through the monotony of a 162-game season. This will be one of the more memorable victories of the year for the Mets.
Besides, it's bound to outrage several baseball purists that some are referring it as a walkoff walk. And that's just fun.