Excellence

If you were paying attention last night then you remember the precise moment when anguish, as a potential conclusion, was introduced into the proceedings. It came in the sixth inning when the $12-million dollar man Oliver Perez, using three straight breaking balls, struck out the most feared hitter in baseball, Albert Pujols.

Perez had been in command all evening, mixing speeds on his breaking ball and demonstrating qualities – poise, determination, and focus – that are not usually attached to the volatile left-hander.

Pujols, stymied, walked back to the dugout, wearing a resigned look. Considering the impressive performance turned in by Mike Pelfrey in Colorado 24-hours earlier, I think it safe to say a good feeling was building on the Mets side.

The Mets hadn’t really figured out Chris Carpenter all evening – in fact it took a base-running blunder by Jeff Francouer to upset the scoreless tie – but, supported by spectacular defense, the Mets were in front 1-0 and, with Perez cruising along, looking like he had found something, all indications were this would end up being either the most hopeful of victories or a very frustrating defeat.

Then, the seventh inning happened. Jerry Manuel yanked Oliver Perez with a runner on second base and one out, the bullpen imploded, ultimately resulting in a grand slam by Felipe Lopez, and the Mets’ night-inning comeback predictably fell one run short.

So, what does it all mean?

Well, hopefully Pelfrey and Perez’ performances on this road trip portend similar outings in 2010.

But this is for sure:

In the Omar Minaya Era the New York Mets have cornered the market on gut-wrenching loses. I dare you to find a sports franchise that loses as spectacularly as the Minaya Mets.

There are teams that pitch well.

There are teams that hit well.

Some teams grit well.

The 2007-10 Mets lose, well, better than the rest.