In the season finale, Miguel Batista and Mike Baxter were the ones who led the Mets to a win.  Batista started and completed the shutout, and Baxter crushed a 2-run homer to give the Mets a final record of 77-85.

The main story of the game, however, was Jose Reyes.  In what was possibly his final game as a Met, he led off with a bunt single, which pushed his NL-leading average to .337.  In a move that drew the ire of the Citi Field crowd, Terry Collins pulled him right after.  The fans had every right to be upset there — it’s understandable that they wanted to protect Reyes’ lead for the batting title, but the fans deserved more than that.  The guy has been an integral part of the team since being called up in 2003, and just submitted his finest season yet.  That kind of tenure needed a fitting salute — the fans should have had the chance to go crazy for him the whole game, and then probably end it with one last standing ovation.  But it was his call – Reyes asked to be pulled, so the batting title’s more important to him.

Congrats to Pete Flynn, retiring after 50 years as a groundskeeper (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

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The New York Mets were defeated by the Cincinnati Reds 5-4 in a 13 inning marathon Tuesday night. Chris Capuano pitched six innings allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out nine. The bullpen couldn’t secure a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning. The Mets offense had chances in the ninth and thirteenth innings to walk-off, but couldn’t push the envelope. In the end, the deciding run scored on a squeeze play in the top of the thirteenth. With one game remaining in the 2011 season, the Mets fall to 76-85. 

Reyes jogged around the bases twice on Tuesday night.

Associated Press

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The New York Mets were defeated by the Cincinnati Reds 6-5 on Monday night. Chris Schwinden pitched five innings allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out five. The Mets offense rallied for three runs in the third inning to take a 3-2 lead. With a 4-3 lead heading into the seventh inning, Tim Byrdak and Josh Stinson gave up three runs to put them down by two. The Mets fell short a run as their record goes to 76-84 on the season.

When Reyes' uniform is dirty, you know he had a huge game.

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The Mets got to play spoiler today, and threw a major wrench into the Cardinals’ postseason hopes.  With their 6-run 9th, the Mets rallied from a 6-2 deficit and left the Cards 2 games behind Atlanta for the wild card.  The Mets themselves improved their record to 74-82.

Later, Cap (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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The New York Mets were defeated by the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Monday night at CitiField. R.A. Dickey pitched seven strong innings allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits and no walks while striking out seven. The bullpen went two scoreless innings in relief to give the Mets offense a chance to win it. Down 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, both Jason Bay and Nick Evans stranded David Wright on second base to end the game. The Mets drop their third straight game as they fall to 71-76 on the season. 

Pagan celebrates his game-tying double in the sixth inning.

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Justin Turner played the hero again for the Mets, with his second walkoff win of the year.  He probably enjoyed this one a little more – instead of getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, he crushed a ground-rule double to center to plate Jason Pridie for the winning score.  The win bumps the Mets’ record to 71-73.

Mike Pelfrey tossed a serviceable 6 2/3 innings, in which he spotted Chicago an early 3-0 lead, but clamped down after that.  With a 4-3 lead heading into the 9th, the Mets once again tried Manny Acosta in the closer’s role.  This time didn’t quite work out, as the Cubs tied the game with 2 outs in the 9th.  However, this turned out not to be such a bad thing, as it set the stage for Turner’s heroics.

(AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

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The New York Mets dropped both games of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. Game 1 was within reach for most of the game but the Mets fell short 6-5. In his major league debut, Chris Schwinden didn’t put his team in a position to win, allowing three runs right of the bat in the first inning. He went five innings and allowed five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four. Game 2 was on the bats. They were quiet all night as the Mets mustered only seven hits. The lone run was scored on a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Dreadful doubleheader, just dreadful.

Bay has been seeing more of the home run apple as of late.

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The New York Mets defeated the Florida Marlins 7-4 in a 12-inning marathon Tuesday night. Nick Evans broke a tie on three separate occasions, including the deciding run in the top of the 12th on a single to put the Mets on top 5-4. Miguel Batista started the night with six innings allowing only one run on five hits and four walks while striking out three. The bullpen was strong, except for Bobby Parnell who blew a 4-2 lead yielding two runs on a Mike Cameron double in the bottom of the 9th. Josh Stinson came on in the bottom of the 12th to pitch a 1-2-3 inning for his first career save. 

Nick Evans turned into Mr. Clutch tonight.

Associated Press

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Ryan Zimmerman hit a broken-bat, 2-run single off Bobby Parnell in the 9th to propel the Nats past the Mets.  The loss snaps the Mets’ 3-game win streak and drops them to 67-70.

The Nats looked like they had this one in the bag early.  They pounded an ineffective Dillon Gee for a 5-0 lead after 2 innings, lowlighted by opposing starter Tom Milone cracking a 3-run homer.  But the Mets got 4 back in the 4th to get themselves back in the game.  They would even take a 7-6 lead on Lucas Duda’s sac fly in the 7th, but Bobby Parnell would let it all go to waste.  He only recorded 1 out in the 9th, while allowing the winning runs to score on Zimmerman’s bloop.

Hittin' 'em where they ain't (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

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The New York Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 7-3 on Friday night in D.C. The Mets offense tacked on early on a David Wright three-run homer and they never looked back. R.A. Dickey pitched six innings allowing three runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out one batter for his seventh win. The Mets have now won six of their last seven games and are only two games under .500. 

Which of these outfielders will be around in 2012?

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