HUGE Win For (Ollie And) The Mets

I know it’s just one of 162, but tonight’s win against the Dodgers was one the Mets might be able to look at as the first step in salvaging this season.

The main reason for my optimism -- look no further than Oliver Perez. The most enigmatic Met in years finally made his return to the majors, and better yet, the win column!

Sure it was ugly at times (actually, seven walks are ugly at ALL times), but Ollie persevered, which is something you COULDN’T say about him 62 days ago when he last took the mound for a meltdown against the Phillies.

Everyone knows how important it is to get this guy back on track, and though he’s far from all the way there, the grit he showed tonight is a major step in the right direction.

Another reason for Mets fans to REALLY relish this win; imagine how ugly things would have gotten had you lost your fifth game in a row. As of Tuesday night’s 8-0 defeat, the negative energy surrounding this team was as omnipresent as it’s been in YEARS.

Seriously, can you remember a vibe enveloping the Mets that was as awful as the one lingering from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning? Sure, the September collapses were bad, but even then you had to acknowledge that those Mets teams were in contention.

Had the Mets not pulled it out tonight, I think we’d be talking some Mets fans down from the ledge Thursday morning.

The game also had some definite confidence-boosting moments in places where the Mets desperately needed them. David Wright’s RBI single in the 3rd snapped an 0-17 streak.

And how about the play by Daniel Murphy at 1st base off of Mark Loretta’s grounder that ricocheted off the bag??!! Hopefully that’s the play that finally allows Murphy to loosen-up a bit and enjoy playing defense.

As for scoreboard watching, the win helped the Mets keep pace with the trio of NL East foes they now find themselves trailing. The Phils, Bravos and Fish all were winners Wednesday.

But that’s the least of it.

Met fans should know that they shouldn’t be scoreboard watching just yet. First you have to get your team in order…only then can you begin worrying about squads other than your own.

Tonight, in a situation you could very much argue was ‘do or die,’ the Mets took a big step in the right direction.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle