On the Mets beat

It's getaway day at Shea for the Mets and Cards. Of course, it was getaway day when Albert Pujols put everyone out of their misery in the 14th inning a little over 12 hours ago, so maybe there'll be a lot of free-swinging and a liberal strike zone from Jeff Kellogg.

Kyle Lohse (12-2, 3.35) goes against Johan Santana (8-7, 3.05) today. Wonder if Jerry Manuel will have Santana go a little longer this time.

On with the show in a few.

Top 1: Good recovery by Santana after a leadoff walk, getting Pujols on a 6-4-3 DP. Quick work. 0-0, middle of 1.

Bottom 1: Chavez and Wright each have one-out hits, but Delgado smokes a grounder right to Pujols for a 3-6-3 DP. 0-0, end of 1.

Top 2: More quick work for Santana, with three short fly balls. 0-0, middle of 2.

Bottom 2: Santana prides himself on being a good hitter, but he whiffs on a full count with runners at the corners. Mets are already stranding runners, a nice carryover from last night. 0-0, end of 2.

Top 3: At this rate, Santana won't even break 100 pitches in a complete game. That's eight straight set down now after the game-opening walk. 0-0, middle of 3.

Bottom 3: Mets get two runs, both off the benefit of bad throws by Cards' outfielders. Chavez should have been doubled off on Delgado's liner to center, but Skip Schumacher makes a poor throw. Then, on Beltran's single, Chavez is again dead at the plate, but Ryan Ludwick's throw short-hops Yadier Molina. 2-0 Mets, end of 3.

Top 4: Amazing start for Santana -- 11 straight retired, he's faced the minimum and thrown 33 pitches. 2-0, middle of 4.

Bottom 4: First 1-2-3 inning for Lohse, who is up to 71 pitches. Stark contrast to Santana. 2-0, end of 4.

Top 5: No-hitter's gone, but Santana keeps it under control. Still cruising. 2-0, middle of 5.

Bottom 5: Wright launches one into the bleachers for a 3-run lead, just as the sky starts to darken over Shea. 3-0, end of 5.

Top 6: Santana back to cruise control. Now at 62 pitches through 6. 3-0, middle of 6.

Bottom 6: I'd say the lead is comfortable now -- Mets add 5, two-run HR by Tatis and Castro, and eight hits among 10 batters. Time to beat the raindrops now. 8-0, end of 6.

Top 7: Pujols snaps the shutout, one pitch after Beltran makes one of the best catches in Mets history, robbing Ludwick of a HR in dead center. Right up there with Endy in 06 and Swoboda in 69. 8-1, middle of 7.

Bottom 7: Mets tack on another with Santana delivering his first RBI as a Met. How about his first CG? It has started raining here. 9-0, end of 7.

Top 8: Couple of hits, but Santana gets through the 8th at 98 pitches. Will he get out to finish it?

Bottom 8: Mets go down 1-2-3, and Santana comes out to start the ninth. And lightning strikes nearby as he's warming up. Hurry it up!. 9-1, end of 8.

Top 9: Santana gets the CG, his first in over a year. Mets off to Miami with a win. 9-1, final.