The Mets beat the Indians to win their sixth straight 8-4 tonight. Niese wasn’t perfect but did the job pitching 7 strong allowing three runs. The Mets scored 5 runs in an inning for the third straight game.

You really can’t say enough about this team right now, 9 in a row. Everyone seems to be contributing, Angel Pagan has been amazing, Jerry better not take Angel out of the 2 hole.Wright and Reyes are clicking. Let’s hope they keep it going into this weekend.

Last season, Pelfrey also faced the Orioles, he won that game against Jeremy Guthrie going 5 2/3 allowing only a two run homer to Nick Markakis. The homer came on Pelfrey’s third best pitch, a changeup. Former Oriole pitcher Jim Palmer thought Pelfrey could have done better.

After the game last year the Hall of Fame Pitcher and Orioles broadcaster approached Pelfrey and gave him some advice.

“The guy is very, very approachable,” Pelfrey said. “He was a pretty good guy to come and talk to me. You always try to get insight, and that guy definitely knows what he’s talking about.”

Mike recalled what Palmer had told him,

“He said he read that I thought I should have gone seven [innings]. He said I might have gone nine. He talked about some things I did that maybe next time I could get away from. He said remember what my best pitch is. Don’t get beat up on your third or fourth pitch, which the changeup was.”

This season, Pelfrey seems to be using his bread and butter pitches much more effectively and he’s not getting beat often at all. I thought it was interesting that a former pitcher for a team that you’re trying to beat was nice of enough to reach out to Big Pelf last season. I guess Palmer saw the potential in Pelfrey last season that we were all hoping would come to fruition as it has this season.

Before they met last year Pelfrey said he only recognized him from the Jockey ads Palmer appeared in for many years.

“I don’t know his stats,” Pelfrey said. “I just knew he was really good.”

Carter connected in the fourth after Ike Davis singled and Bay drew a walk.

Dickey had the knuckler working once again, striking out a career high 8 batters.  Dickey came up especially big in the fourth, managing to pull out of a very tight situation. The Orioles loaded the bases with no outs before Dickey struck out Luke Scott and  Adam Jones, then retired Matt Wieters on a popup.

You gotta love guys like Chris Carter and R.A. Dickey basically reclamation projects, their former teams had given up on them, and here they are ready and contributing. Everything I’ve heard about Carter is that he’s one of the hardest working guys on the team and is constantly fired up, the Mets haven’t had a guy like Carter on the team in a while. I like it.

Unbelievably, Mets will try win two consecutive games on the road for the first time this year, tomorrow.

Pelfrey who was selected 9th overall in the 2005 draft has developed into ace material this season. Big Pelf pitched 9 innings of one run ball with 6ks and no walks. Impressive numbers. A combo of Pelfrey and Santana is an awesome luxury, but the Mets still need a stronger 3rd to realy become a contender.

With the Mets down one run in the 8th Jose Reyes hit one out that just cleared the wall. It was initially ruled a double but after review was declared a home run.

Ike Davis, drafted 18th overall in 2008, then won the game in the 11th with a walk off bomb home run. I was a little afraid he was going to pull a Kendry Morales crossing the plate, but everything ended well.

Johan vs. Matt Latos for the Padres Wednesday night as long as the weather holds up.

That being said, once 7:10 rolls around it will still be fun. Hisanori Takahashi will get the nod in his first MLB start. Luis Castillo is a little banged up and won’t go tonight. He can’t drop any pop ups that way either.

Here’s the Mets Lineup:

Jose Reyes, SS
Alex Cora, 2B
Jason Bay, LF
Ike Davis, 1B
David Wright, 3B
Angel Pagan, CF
Rod Barajas, C
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Hisanori Takahashi, P

Here’s a great Subway Series Met moment to remember. Who could ever forget 2005 Dae Sung Koo

Finally what we’ve been calling for. Oliver Perez has been the biggest Met bust in recent history. I doubt he’ll pitch any better in the pen but at least we can limit his damage there.

Reyes struggled mightily in the three hole. Who knows if he was over thinking things or not. I think eventually Reyes can still be a three hitter but not right now apparently. I don’t love Pagan in the three spot, would honestly prefer Ike there.

Regarding his return to the leadoff spot, Reyes told reporters:  It feels like I’m going home to see my family.

One thing you have to say about this team, they don’t give up. Even when they’ve lost they fight hard and come back. It paid off tonight with a big win.

Big contribution in his Met debut by Chris”"The Animal” Carter wtih a RBI double in the 8th to give the Mets the lead and cap the rally. I said it in the beginning of the year, Carter should have made this team over either Jacobs or Tatis.

Jon Niese did his best Oliver Perez impression tonight giving up five walks and five runs. Once again though Hisanori Takahashi gave the Mets a solid two scoreless innings and K-Rod shut the door as Ike Davis made one of his routine over the railing, flipping grabs.

I think Ike Davis should be named Mr. Fantastic, it seems like he has these rubber arms that reach over and grab these balls over the dugout railing. He also just missed a grand slam in that 8th inning.

Great way to end a great win for those who stuck around to watch the end of this one. CitiField was empty.The Mets need to be more consistent in hitting with runners in scoring position but glad to see them break out like this tonight. Bay and Wright were both 3-4, once we get Reyes going this offense could take off again. Let’s hope the momentum carries over to tomorrow afternoon at 1:10p with Mike Pelfrey on the mound.

The solution may be in a hard throwing veteran righty hailing from Venezuela named “ROJO” Johnson. Johnson does come with a troubled past though.

“He served time for running a smuggling ring that imported rare and illegal species of reptiles into the United States from South America during the mid-to-late 1990s. Thursday night’s game marks Johnson’s first in American professional baseball after a storied career in the Venezuelan leagues.”

Check out the amazing footage of his debut below

“Mentally, I feel like I have the strength of 10 men, after that,” Johnson, who ripped off his mustache during the on-field chase, told reporters in a post-game press conference.

“Nashville showed a lot of stuff tonight,” he added. “They’ve got a lot of moxie.”

With K-Rod struggling a bit the Mets could sure use a guy like “Rojo” in the backend of the bullpen.

Shout out to Pessimets reader “Quack” for the link.

Johan didnt have his best stuff but shut out the Dodgers through 6 innings. The ball was moving on him a bit but he gutted it out. 12 straight games now Mets starters have allowed three runs or less. What we thought would be our weakness is actually our strength.

Jason Bay hit his first home run of the year, he looks to be slowly breaking out. Luis Castillo had a key 2 RBI base hit in the 7th to tack on 2 runs and allow the Mets to rest their bullpen. David Wright struck out again and has struck out in 13 straight games now, Ugh.

Hopefully Ollie can keep the strong pitching going tonight as we go for 6 in a row. 7:35p first pitch.

The Braves have been helping the Mets the last two games. Friday night Larry Jones drops the infield popup and today Yunel Escobar failed to tag up from 3rd base on a play he would have easily scored.

The Braves have been looking like the 2009 Mets. I’ll gladly take it though.

Niese got in and out of trouble. Jason Bay went 3-4 while D. Wright continues to struggle.

Big Pelf will go for the sweep tomorrow against Tommy Hanson who’s done well this season (1-1, 2.81). Things are actually looking up, for now. . .

Photo: Kmonicek/AP