Mets 71-74 vs Cubs 63-82 Preview

Miguel Batista 1-0, 2.25 ERA

Matt Garza 8-10, 3.52 ERA

Mets Sunday lineup vs. the Cubs: Reyes-SS, Tejada-2B, Duda-RF, Wright-3B, Pagan-CF, Bay-LF, Evans-1B, Paulino-C, Batista-RHPless than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyNew York Mets
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Today we honor the Men and Women lost in the tragical 9/11 terrorist attacks. In 2001, baseball was suspended due to the attacks and baseball then resumed play on 9-21-01. On that day, Mike Piazza's go-ahead homerun in the 1st game back at home in Shea Stadium following the September 11th attacks, gave the fans of New York a reason to celebrate at a time when the country was grieving and in disbelief. During tonight's game, Mike Piazza and former members of the 2001 Mets team will be in attendance as they commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the terror attacks with a memorial ceremony before the Mets conclude a 3-game seres against the Cubs.

Remembering Mike Piazza's 2-run homer in the eighth inning gave the Mets a 3-2 win over the Braves, which was the first home game for the Mets 10 days after the tragic attacks took place. In tonight's ceremonial 1st pitch, John Franco is scheduled to throw to former Met Mike Piazza, who will be along side with teammates Robin Ventura, Todd Zeile and Bobby Valentine. The Mets were 71-73 through September 11th, 2001, and were in third place in the NL East, while being 8-games back behind the division leading Braves.

Coming into Sunday night's game, the Mets came in with the identical record, being 23.5 games in the division behind the Phillies, lost 5-4 to the Cubs in a heart breaking fashion. Bobby Parnell suffered his third blown save in four chances, giving up a 2-run single to Aramis Ramirez with 2 outs in the 9th. “It’s no one person’s fault that you lose a game,” said Mets third baseman David Wright, who committed two of the team’s season-high four errors - including one in the ninth. “Collectively there’s a lot of things we could have done to win this game.”

Worth Noting:
- Matt Garza has never face the Mets but is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA over his three most recent road outings ending all in Cubs wins.

- Jason Bay is 3-for-15 (.200) with 6 strikeouts lifetime against Garza.

- Miguel Batista is 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA over six career starts against the Cubs, the most recent came in 2007 with the Mariners.

- Alfonso Soriano 2-for-24 (.083), Marlon Byrd 2-for-16 (.125) and Aramis Ramirez 2-for-14 (.143) lifetime against Miguel Batista. Notably, Reed Johnson has also struggled against Batista, going 0-for-7.

- Mets lifetime versus the Chicago Cubs, 345-346 (.499)