In a Hollywood script, Billy Wagner’s no-hit relief streak would have ended with a 500-foot blast by some Neanderthal nicknamed for a cut of meat.
But this was real life and in real life yesterday, Wagner’s no-hit run ended at 91/3 innings, in his 10th appearance, on an opposite field dunk to right.
“I don’t care,” Wagner shrugged about the first hit he surrendered this season, a didn’t-hurt, one-out single by pinch-hitter Matt Diaz, the only stumble in Wagner’s sixth save in the Mets’ 6-3 victory over John Smoltz and the Braves. “I’m going to give up about 40 more, so it’s just part of it.”
Wagner had not allowed a hit to 28 batters (plus two walks) before Diaz singled.
And that number established a team Mets record to start the season – not exactly shattering DiMaggio’s streak, but a team record nonetheless.
Wagner is pitching well, pitching with confidence, exciting the Shea crowds.
As a closer, Wagner knows he’s one bad pitch, one blown save away from all that fan love morphing into a hate-fest. But the Mets have temporarily righted themselves with all facets kicking in – the hitting and defense make it easier for the starters who make it easier for the bullpen.
“Once we become more consistent getting hits and scoring runs, we’ll take some pressure off our bullpen and maybe give our starters a chance to go a little longer – which (also) will take pressure off our bullpen,” Willie Randolph said.
Nuclear physics, it’s not. Winning is the best deodorant for so many ailments.
“Right now, I’m in a good situation where I’m not being over-exposed so I’m able to go out there, keep the pitch count down, make pitches,” Wagner said.
“You just need some things to happen, some plays to be made – and for guys to realize you can make a mistake and guys will pick you up.
“You get out there a lot of times when your team is not playing well and you’re trying to make so many great pitches that the ball runs back over the middle.”
The record is only 13-11, but the Mets more than salvaged a weekend that started poorly with a Friday night loss (the fifth defeat in six games) but ended with wins over Tim Hudson and Smoltz, who threw a combined seven innings.
“We’re winning. When you’re winning and you play closer games,” Wagner allowed, “you get a little more comfortable.”
And hardly even notice a single that ends a team-record streak.