The Mets didn’t just fire their manager, they took him out to Disneyland and threw him off the Matterhorn. The Drudge Report broke the news that their new manager threatened to stab their star shortstop. They’re a laughingstock. They’re a joke. They must be 20 games under .500 and in last place. The reality is they headed to Colorado one game under .500, winning four of their last six, and five-and-a-half games out of first.

Friday, Mets 7-2: Baby Steps

Ron Darling and Lee Mazzilli both mentioned the Mets taking “baby steps” with this victory. TBS must have been showing a “What About Bob?” marathon lately (and Darling plugged a Carmen Miranda box set―Carmen Miranda?). The Mets took a vacation from their problems with their second win in a row. The fielding was crisp (Endy Chavez, Trot Nixon and David Wright all made outstanding plays). They piled up seven runs, with every starter (including John Maine) notching a hit, highlighted by a five-run, seven-hit second inning. Carlos Delgado blasted an opposite-field home run, Nixon hit his first homer as a Met and Carlos Beltran had three hits. Maine labored throughout the game, but ended up going 6.2 innings, only allowing two runs and striking out six. And the bullpen was perfect. Brian Schneider looked like Marvelous Marv Throneberry, though, as he was forced out at third on what should have been a single to right.

Saturday, Rockies 7-1: Ubaldo’d

Ubaldo Jimenez was winless in his last 13 starts. At the plate he had the longest 0-fer going in the Major Leagues. The Mets stepped right up and helped him end both streaks. He pitched eight innings, allowing only two hits and picked up two singles himself. Pedro Martinez cruised through the first four innings (though maybe the Colorado batters were blinded by the setting sun), but as fast as you can say ‘Troy Tulowitzki’ he gave up six runs, and that was pretty much the ballgame. Luis Castillo couldn’t be bothered to cover second base on a force play for the second game in a row. He wanted to keep the Mets reputation as an indifferent team who are only going through the motions intact.

Sunday, Mets 3-1: Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad

Mike Pelfrey impressed yet again. He went 5.2 innings without letting in a run (and at Coors Field even), allowing only three hits while striking out five and walking five. He’s now 4–6. And he faced his second 6’ 7” pitcher in a row (Greg Reynolds this time). His next start comes against the Yankees. Whoever’s scheduled to pitch for the Bombers better wear platform spikes if this trend is going to continue. Jose Reyes led off the game with a triple for the second day in a row (but didn’t need the oxygen tank this time), and was driven in by a David Wright single. Carlos Beltran smashed a two-run homer into the second deck, and that’s all they needed. Billy Wagner recorded a one-two-three ninth for the save. The Mets are back at .500 and only three-and-a-half games behind the reeling Phillies. They’ve won three series in a row and head back to Shea for three games against the Mariners starting Monday night.