I’ve maintained for three seasons that the Mets should keep three catchers. They never used Paul LoDuca enough. The value of three was seem tonight when Jerry Manuel was able to pinch run for Brian Schneider in the 7th. Instead of the slow and oft-stumbling Scheider on first, the Mets batters were able to hit with young legs on the bases in Nick Evans and being able to use a great bunter in Argenis Reyes to sacrifice Evans to second. Jose Reyes is in a better way as he knows he does not need to hit a double to drive this game-winng run in. And if he fails, Endy Chavez can certainly drive home Evans.with a base hit. It didnt work, but the Rockies bullpen had to face the strain twice against two quality players in in the seventh, but another ML Veteran, Damon Easley greated the Rox in the 8th with a blast way up in the seats in left center to win it. Wagner dominated in the ninth to nail it down.

Without the presence of the flexibilities that three catchers offered, this senario may not have come to pass. Because of the switch to a pinch runner and sacrifice, Manuel knew he was putting his best players in a position to win the game. Manuel knew that Jose Reyes, Endy Chavez or Damon Easley could with this game in the 7th or 8th and they could put the game in Billy Wagner’s able hands. One of them did and then Wagner got the last three outs.

Great job by Manuel, too, BTW

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