The Mets find themselves in second place in the NL East and just a game behind the Phillies after Oliver Perez (pictured) and Aaron Heilman, of all people, teamed on a two-hit, 3-0 blanking of the Marlins on Friday at Shea Stadium. Heilman might have pitched his way back into the closer’s role while Billy Wagner is out after an unexpectedly perfect two innings of relief against the Fish.
Despite the victory, colleague Joel Sherman wonders if the Mets can keep winning with a roster filled with rookies and reclamation projects.
In the notebook, we have more on Ryan Church being cleared to return. There are also items on John Maine, Brian Stokes and Luis Castillo.