mets score

EW YORK -- On the morning of his team's most important game since last October, Billy Wagner supported his manager Sunday with the strongest vocal endorsement any player has given Willie Randolph yet.
Wagner was miffed over an article that appeared in New York Magazine on Sunday, in which he claimed quotations were taken out of context to create a false angst between him, Randolph and pitching coach Rick Peterson. The quotes were run separately in the New York Post before the magazine article was released.

"I don't want people to misinterpret what I was saying," Wagner said. "I wasn't trying to knock Willie or Rick, because they've been great. As bad as we've played, they've been the most supportive coaches I've probably been around."

The source of Wagner's anger was a quotation that, in the context of the article, made him sound as if he didn't believe Randolph or Peterson were any help to his success.

"We've been throwing four innings a night -- for months!" Wagner told the magazine. "Our pitching coach has no experience talking to a bullpen. He can help you mechanically, but he can't tell you emotions. He has no idea what it feels like. And neither does Willie. They're not a lot of help, put it that way."

Wagner said Sunday that he meant to say a manager or a pitching coach with no experience closing games couldn't help him when he was on the mound with a lead in the ninth inning. He reiterated that both Randolph and Peterson do a fine job, and that his quotation was in no way meant to be a criticism.

Wagner apologized to both men Sunday morning after he saw the article.

"It just rolls off my back," Randolph said. "It's irrelevant to what we're trying to do. There's no reason to apologize."

Randolph has come under some scrutiny by the New York media this September for being too unanimated during his team's struggles. Wagner wanted it known that he would not take part in such criticism.

"This is not the time for this kind of article to come out," Wagner said. "We believe in Willie. We believe in Rick. And we wouldn't be where we're at today if it wasn't for their leadership, and constantly patting us on the back and kicking us in the butt."

Wagner said he was disappointed such an issue could surface in September and threaten to overshadow his team's most important game of the season.

"It's never about me," Wagner said. "I want that clarified. It's not about me. It's the results that we're dealing with. I definitely don't want to sound like I'm trying to be a loud mouth, or a leader of this team. Because I'm not the leader of this team."

Catcher down: Paul Lo Duca sat out his second straight game Sunday, a day after backup Ramon Castro homered to help the Mets score 13 runs.

Randolph said the decision hinged mostly on Lo Duca's health. He was still feeling the effects of a ball he fouled off his left kneecap Friday night.

"This time of the year, there's no persuading or talking," Randolph said. "I'm going to do what's best for the team, and as of right now, he's not quite 100 percent."

Randolph's lineup was identical to the one he used Saturday, and Lo Duca anticipated such a situation shortly after that game ended.

"That's Willie's decision," Lo Duca said. "If he wants to use the same lineup, I'm not going to have a beef with it. I understand that. I want to play, but I understand the situation."

All hands on deck: Randolph said he wouldn't hesitate to empty his bullpen or his rotation on Sunday -- and Monday, if the season comes to that -- if necessary. He said Orlando Hernandez would be available Sunday, and mentioned Pedro Martinez, Oliver Perez and Mike Pelfrey all as possible options should the Mets need to play a tiebreaker in Philadelphia the following day.

"You try and win the game," Randolph said. "That's why you just empty the tank, whoever that might be."

Run, Reyes, run: Randolph said he didn't spend any time talking with Jose Reyes after the young shortstop played a central role in Saturday's incident with the Marlins.

Reyes also drew some ire in the third inning of that game after not running out a chopper that may have otherwise turned into a hit. He's batting just .214 in September, but he remains far too valuable to become involved in another dangerous situation Sunday.

"There's nothing to be said," Randolph said. "That's just something that happens in baseball. Silly stuff."

Traveling lightly: Shawn Green, like all the Mets, came to the ballpark on Sunday with his suitcase and travel clothes in tow. That, however, is all he brought.

He said he was confident the Mets could clinch the division on Sunday, even though they might have to play up to two different tiebreaker games over the next two days.

"I didn't pack a toothbrush," he laughed. "I guess I'll just get one at the hotel."

Inspiration squared: A second photo appeared in the tunnel between the Mets' clubhouse and dugout Sunday, this one depicting Saturday afternoon's fracas. Below that was a expletive-laced quote from Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez, and an inscription: "It's never a good idea to wake a sleeping mutt. Somebody pays today."

Randolph again said he had no idea where the picture came from. A similar photo had appeared in the tunnel prior to Saturday's game.

"I don't want to play the bulletin-board game," Randolph said. "That's not how you win ballgames."

Coming up: The Mets end their regular season on Sunday -- or perhaps not. Should they finish tied with the Phillies, they'll head down to Citizens Bank Park for a one game playoff on Monday. Should they win the division outright, they'll prepare to host the Padres -- or possibly the Rockies -- in the first round of the playoffs. And should they lose the division, they'll head home for a unfortunately long winter.
A six-run ninth inning wasn't enough for the New York Mets.
An improbable rally fell just short when Paul Lo Duca flied out with a runner on third, and the Mets' 10-9 loss Tuesday to the visiting Washington Nationals cost them a chance to expand their cushion in the East.

With his team in dire need of a strong pitching performance, Tom Glavine (13-7) was roughed up for six runs and nine hits -- including three home runs -- in five innings as the Mets dropped their fifth consecutive home game. They got help elsewhere, though.

Their magic number was trimmed to four for clinching their second consecutive division title when the Philadelphia Phillies lost to the Atlanta Braves. The Mets remained two games ahead of the Phillies with five to play.

''We can't rely on the Braves, on the Phillies losing,'' Mets third baseman David Wright said. ''We have got to go out and snatch this thing.''

Looking sluggish yet again, the Mets trailed 10-3 in the ninth before putting together a stirring comeback highlighted by a three-run homer by Jose Reyes and a three-run double by Moises Alou. It was Reyes' second homer and Alou's fourth hit of the game.

The Mets had the tying run on second with one out when Nationals manager Manny Acta pulled closer Chad Cordero in favor of Jon Rauch. Rauch responded by striking out Carlos Delgado and retiring Lo Duca on a short fly to right to preserve the victory and earn his fourth save.

Padres 6, Giants 4
Brian Giles capped a four-run ninth inning with a three-run homer against losing pitcher Brian Wilson (1-2), and San Diego took over sole possession of the wild-card lead by overcoming an early deficit to beat host San Francisco.
The victory enabled the Padres, who ended a four-game skid, to open a one-game over the Phillies and to maintain their one-game lead over the Colorado Rockies in the wild-card chase.

Rockies 9, Dodgers 7
Troy Tulowitzki hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning, and Todd Helton went 3-for-5 with two RBI as visiting Colorado extended its winning streak to nine games by topping Los Angeles, which officially was eliminated from playoff contention.
The Rockies banged out 14 hits against five Dodgers pitchers and overcame a three-run homer by James Loney, who went 3-for-5.

Braves 10, Phillies 6
Mark Teixeira hit a three-run homer and Chipper Jones a two-run shot to power Atlanta past host Philadelphia.
Jimmy Rollins hit a solo homer in the first inning to join Bobby Abreu (2001, 2004) as the only players in Phillies history with 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in the same season. Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth and Chase Utley also went deep for the Phillies.

Pirates 6, Diamondbacks 5
Pinch hitter Josh Phelps singled home Adam LaRoche with the go-ahead run with two outs in the eighth inning, and Pittsburgh edged visiting Arizona to end a nine-game losing streak.
The Pirates took a 5-1 lead into the eighth, but the Diamondbacks tied the score with four runs in the top of the inning. The big blow was a two-run single by Conor Jackson.

Astros 8, Reds 5
Hunter Pence drove in two runs with a homer and a single, and Josh Anderson and Craig Biggio also had two RBI as Houston rallied past host Cincinnati. Homer Bailey and Norris Hopper each had two-run doubles for the Reds, who wasted a 5-1 lead after two innings.
AP