Mets Win 3-0, On Combined One-Hitter…

Marty Noble, of www.mlb.com, reports that Mets beat Rox, win streak hits eight. Pedro, bullpen, combine for sparkling one-hitter against visitors.

The Mets' abrupt about-face and an eight-game winning streak have moved them to the threshold of first place in the National League East. Another splendid pitching performance -- this one shared by Pedro Martinez and four relievers -- produced an eighth straight victory, 3-0. And that victory and another loss by the Phillies put the Mets a half-game behind the division-leading Phillies, seven games closer than they were June 13.

The only cloud in the day for the Mets was that Martinez was removed after pitching four innings because of stiffness in his right shoulder.

Martinez, Carlos Muniz, Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis and Billy Wagner combined to pitch a one-hitter and the team's third shutout in five games. Martinez allowed a single by Brad Hawpe with one out in the fourth inning. Muniz, who replaced him and pitched two innings, emerged as the winning pitcher for the first time in his career. He has a 1-1 record. Wagner earned his 22nd save.

The one-hitter, coming after four successive games in which the Mets allowed three hits, established a Major League for consecutive games allowing three or fewer hits.

The Mets scored once in the fourth inning on another RBI hit by Fernando Tatis, in the fifth on the 10th home run by Jose Reyes and in the sixth on a double by Brian Schneider. All the runs came against losing pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, who beat the Mets and Martinez in Denver on June 21. Then Jimenez, now 4-8, pitched eight innings and allowed two hits and one run.

But this is a different Mets team. They have won eight straight games for the first time since June 2006. They have put their record six games over .500 for the first time. They have won 16 of 25 games since Jerry Manuel replaced Willie Randolph on June 17.

Could the Mets win tomorrow night, and win nine in a row, going into the All-Star break ?

Did anyone, even the most optimistic, delusional Mets’ fan, have even dreamt this ?