Minaya would feel even better if the Florida Marlins would trade Dontrelle Willis to the Mets, but the Marlins have told them they aren't trading Willis anywhere. Florida has Willis for three more seasons after this one before he can become a free agent, and the Marlins are hoping their future will look brighter and wealthier before then.
In the meantime, Willis is being wasted and asked to pitch for an expansion-type team. His 1-5 record and 5.12 ERA reflect the muck in which he is wallowing.
The Mets, on the other hand, continue to demonstrate their credentials for postseason qualification. Sweeping the Phillies would have been better than winning two of three, but this was the first serious challenge to their National League East lead, and they acquitted themselves well, expanding it to four games from three.
In the process, they have found a rookie pitcher who just may provide an unexpected boost and who would not be here if not for injuries to Vmctor Zambrano, Brian Bannister and John Maine.
After the game on Thursday, Soler said through an interpreter that he was happy to hear that he would make another start and wanted to "do the best I can to stay in the rotation." He said he would do better than his first start.
But, he added, he wasn't nervous, contrary to popular belief.
"My concentration level wasn't there 100 percent, and I didn't have my rhythm," Soler said. "That's why I was all over the place in the first inning. When I found my rhythm, I started to throw the ball over the plate."
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