The Mets defeated the Marlins by a score of 5-4 this evening in Dolphin Stadium, to put the Marlins back seven games in the standings. Joe Smith got the win for the Mets, and Kevin Gregg, who blew yet another save, took the loss for the Fish.

Starter Oliver Perez was a bit wild today, walking five in six innings, but he limited the damage and gave th team six solid innings of two run ball.

The Mets scored in the 1st inning yet again. Jose Reyes came in on a Carlos Beltran sac fly.

Marlins starter Chris Volstad was in control, and looked like he may be a thorn in the Mets side for years to come. He left in the 7th with a 2-1 lead.

The Mets left 10 men on base tonight, against Volstad Joe Nelson Arthur Rhodes and Matt Lindstrom.

In the 9th, it looked bleak, with two outs and no men on. Credit Luis Castillo and David Wright, for fighting off some tough Gregg pitches, and singling to give the big guns a chance.

After Carlos Delgado was hit by a pitch,  Beltran smashed the first offering he saw into the right field bleachers, for his 8th career Grand Salami.

Up three, Luis Ayala gave Mets fans a coronary in the 9th, when he got the tieing and go ahead runs into scoring position, but he got Wes Helms to ground out to end it.

Great win, great job by the 2-5 hitters in the lineup, you guys earned your stripes tonight. To Ayala, don’t do that again. I think the game ball has to Castillo, who has taken alot of flack from Met fans this year, but if it weren’t for him we lose 2-1.

The Mets look for their third straight win tomorrow with Mike Pelfrey on the mound, facing Marlins ace Ricky Nolasco.