New York Mets defeat Chicago Cubs, 7-6

The Mets finally stepped off the down elevator they've been riding for too long and found themselves on the floor they needed.

The one with the jelly beans, and sunshine, and frequent flier miles.

They were losing this one against the Cubs for most of the night, 2-0, 3-1, and then 6-3. And this was how to describe Pedro Martinez's six-plus innings: Not quite as bad as his most recent starts. They can't afford to lose - first place seems to be getting away from them and ...

The waterlogged crowd at Shea clearly knew this might have been Pedro Martinez's last game as a Met, and showered him with a massive ovation when he departed the mound in the seventh inning.

Martinez was perfectly aware, as well.

The pitcher tipped his cap and waved to the fans behind the home dugout who saluted him. They also certainly appreciated him keeping the Mets close enough against the Cubs into the seventh inning before they pulled out a crucial 7-6 win in t...

David Wright has spent much of his first five seasons in New York being lauded as the Mets' version of Derek Jeter, their squeaky-clean superstar who can do no wrong in the eyes of the fans.

But this has been more of an A-Rod year in at least one important statistical category for the Mets' All-Star third baseman. Wright's ongoing struggles with runners in scoring position came to a head with a key strikeout with the potential game-winning run on third and none out in t...