Mets 9, Pirates 8 (10 innings): Bring on the Phillies

Wheeeew. The Mets returned to .500 with their second straight win, a 9-8, 10-inning victory over the Pirates in a rainout makeup Thursday. Ryan Church had the game-deciding RBI for the second straight day, scoring Fernando Tatis in extra innings. But it was Tatis (pictured right) who deserved so much of the credit. Tatis, who belted a two-run homer earlier off reliever Jeff Karstens as the Mets turned a 5-0 deficit into an 8-5 lead, had twice been hit by pitches—in the left leg and ribs—and was really ailing. Yet he managed to steal second in the 10th, putting himself in position to score on Church’s single. Tatis scored a career-high four runs. Afterward, Jerry Manuel suggested players were calling him Willis Reed , although Tatis said his manager was fibbing. (That is, after asking who exactly was Willis Reed.) Tatis, the NL Comeback Player of the Year winner in 2008, entered the game hitting an underwhelming .248 with two homers and 17 RBI. He was so banged ... (link)