Hartnett: David Wright Comes Through For Mets
'Hart of the Order'
By Sean Hartnett
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With a six-game losing streak staring the New York Mets in the face, someone needed to step up and stop the bleeding.
The Mets went into Thursday afternoon's series finale with the Washington Nationals only a single game above .500 and falling behind in the National League Wild Card race.
From the depths of despair, a hero emerged. Yes, David Wright -- the man who's been Mets' savior all year long.
Wright blasted crucial home runs off Gio Gonzalez and Craig Stammen that gave the Mets the breathing room needed to complete a 9-5 victory over the Nationals.
"All and all it's a brutal road trip for us," Wright told the New York Post. "We have to dig down deep. Every win is a big win."
Mets fans are hoping this will trigger a winning streak as they return home for a vital six-game homestand against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals.
Wright and the Mets are looking to hurdle the Dodgers in the Wild Card race and edge closer to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves who currently hold the two NL Wild Card play-in game places.
They're also hoping to cut down the Nationals' divisional advantage. Washington is currently seven games ahead of the Mets in the NL East standings.
Following the Dodgers and Nationals, the Mets are set to begin a lengthy eleven-game road trip starting with the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants.
There isn't any let-up in the Mets' next four series, but Wright has roughed-up every opponent thrown at him in July. Wright has driven-in 15 RBIs in 13 July games. He's been a model of consistency at the plate, recording 31 RBIs in his last 31 games.
"Nobody matches up that good against David Wright right now," Nationals' manager Davey Johnson admitted after Thursday's loss.
Actually, the Diamondbacks and Giants are the only teams who've figured out Wright this season. Wright is batting .077 in 14 at-bats against the Giants and .222 in 9 at-bats against the Pirates.
Considering the way Wright is tearing the cover off the ball lately, it wouldn't be surprising if he masters Giants and Diamondbacks pitching.
As July turns to August, every win becomes more vital. It's not just Mets fans who are clinging to Wright as their offensive savior. Winning pitcher R.A. Dickey was wearing a David Wright t-shirt after Thursday's victory.
Can Wright continue his tear and ignite a Mets' winning streak? Share your thoughts below and send your tweets to @HartnettWFAN.
