It wasn't easy, however. Despite jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning, and with staff ace Al Leiter on the mound, the Mets still found themselves hanging on by their fingertips at the end. In the 8th, Turk Wendell came on to protect a 7-2 lead but gave up a run, allowing 3 of the 4 batters he faced to reach base before Dennis Cook bailed him out. In the 9th, Jeff Tam was summoned to get the final 3 outs but didn't get any, as Wendell Magee reached on an infield single to 3B (though I think Edgardo Alfonzo should have been charged with a throwing error) and Bobby Estalella walked. On came John Franco, who barely beat Desi Relaford to the bag on a 3-1 putout for the first out of the inning. Kevin Jordan then bounced one to second, but Carlos Baerga couldn't handle the high hop and was charged with an error as Magee scored. Doug Glanville then hit a bouncer just past Franco's reach into CF for an RBI single, bringing the tying run to the plate with just 1 out. But Franco got Kevin Sefcik looking, and then Scott Rolen grounded out to end the game.

It's discouraging to see Wendell continue to struggle, especially after holding a 1.45 ERA and .169 opposing batting average over 17 appearances in August. Thus far, over 4 appearances in September, he's given up 6 runs while the opposition is hitting .529 against him. It's gonna be a rough final month if the only dependable bullpen arms are Cook and Franco.

Tyler Green was the starter for the Phillies. He was infamous for his horrible 1st innings, holding a career 6.95 ERA during the opening frame. That ballooned to 9.67 in 1998. He actually would make only 3 more starts at the Major League level before injuries ended his career.