Remembering Mets History: (2006) Mets Score 17 Runs As Jose Valentin Drives in 7 Runs & Cliff Floyd Drives In 5 Runs

Saturday July 8th 2006: Willie Randolph's first place New York Mets (52-36) were hosting Joe Girardi's third place Florida Marlins (38-47).

This was the second game of a doubleheader in which the Mets had lost the first game 3-2. A good crowd of 41,477 check in by the second game & were in for a big hitting scoring day.

This game featured the MLB debut of Mike Pelfrey as he went up against Ricky Nolasco.

Starting Lineups

	Florida Marlins				New York Mets
1	Alfredo Amezaga	CF		1	Endy Chavez	RF
2	Hanley Ramirez	SS		2	Paul Lo Duca	C
3	Dan Uggla	2B		3	Carlos Beltran	CF
4	Miguel Cabrera	3B		4	David Wright	3B
5	Mike Jacobs	1B		5	Cliff Floyd	LF
6	Joe Borchard	LF		6	Jose Valentin	2B
7	Jeremy Hermida	RF		7	Julio Franco	1B
8	Matt Treanor	C		8	Chris Woodward	SS
9	Ricky Nolasco	P		9	Mike Pelfrey	P

Pelfrey was fine, pitching five innings, allowing two runs on five hits striking out three. He would be relieved by Henry Owens who would pitch just three games as a New York Met. Pedro Feliciano & Aaron Heilman would close it out, as Pelfrey got his first career win.

The '06 Mets offense was in full support today, giving the Mets pitchers 17 runs to work with. Most of them came from the bat of veteran Jose Valentin. Valentin was given a chance by the Mets as he was signed as a 36 year old free agent. He ended up taking over the secnd base position from Kaz Matsui & had a fine year, having his best day today.

In the home 1st, the Mets stuck Endy Chavez tripled & was brought in on a Paul Loduca single. Carlos Beltran walked & Cliff Floyd singled to load the bases. Jose Valentin stepped in & hit a grand slam HR, his ninth HR of the year. It was quickly a 5-0 Mets lead. The Marlins got two runs off Pelfrey in the top of the 2nd.

In the 2nd inning, the Mets knocked Nolasco out. With two outs Paul Loduca was hit by a pitch, Beltran then singles & David Wright drew a walk. Nolasco walked Cliff Floyd & then final blow came as Jose Valentin continued his big day. Valentin tripled to right field clearing the bases with his seven RBIs for the day, giving the Mets a 9-2 lead. 

In the 4th inning, Beltran led off with a walk. With one out, Cliff Floyd hit his 7th HR of the year coming off Jason Vargas, making it 11-3 Mets. 

In the 5th the Mets attack continued, three straight singles by Chris Woodward, Xavier Nady & Endy Chavez started it off. Then back to back ground rule doubles by David Wright & Cliff Floyd made it a 16-3 game. For Floyd LoDuca & Wright scored with his fourth & fifth RBIs of the day.

The big day had Valentin with 
two hits & seven RBIs. Cliff Floyd having one of his best days of the year, had three hits, with a HR five RBIs & five runs scored. 

Paul LoDuca had a two hit day, with three RBIs & Endy Chavez had himself a three hit day as well.

At the end of this day the Mets had a 12 game lead over the second place Philadelphia Phillies & a 12.5 lead over the Florida Marlins in third place.