Right now the Dolphin Stadium grounds crew is feverishly trying to get the field playable for tonight. Seems that the U. had a football game here last night and the grass is a little chewed up. I can still see the sprayed-on remnants for the 10-yard line clearly between the mound and third base.

Here is the team's official release and ticket info:

Limited Time Offer Guarantees Fans Tickets to Final 15 Regular Season Games at Shea, Opportunity to Purchase Tickets for Potential 2008 Postseason Games, and Priority for Purchase of Season Tickets in Citi Field for 2009.

FLUSHING, N.Y., August 27, 2008 - The New York Mets tonight announced the sale
of Pennant Race Packs, available online at Mets.com through Tuesday, September
2. Pennant Race Packs start at $497 per Upper Box seat, and include:

* Tickets to the Final 15 Regular Season Home Games at Shea Stadium.
* The opportunity to purchase the same seats for all potential 2008 Postseason games at Shea.
* Priority in purchasing Full Season Tickets in Citi Field for the 2009 Season.

The Mets in September will host the Philadelphia Phillies (September 5-7), Washington Nationals (September 9-10), Atlanta Braves (September 12-14), Chicago Cubs (September 22-25) and for the final three regular season games at Shea, the Florida Marlins (September 26-28), including five promotion dates.

Pennant Race Packs and tickets for single games for the remainder of the 2008 Regular Season are on sale at Mets.com, LosMets.com, or by phone at (718) 507-TIXX. There is a limit of eight seats per Pennant Race Pack customer and account.

The Mets previously announced that the club has surpassed four million tickets
sold for the first time in franchise history.

But with all the MVP debate focused on David Wright or Jose Reyes lately, look who just entered the discussion after smacking home runs No. 29 and 30 in last night's 6-3 comeback win over the Phillies. Take a look at the numbers:

Delgado .. .263 BA ... .504 SLG ... .348 OBP ... 30 HR ... 93 RBI ... 74 R

Wright .... .291 BA ... .517 SLG ... .385 OBP ... 25 HR ... 100 RBI .. 93 R

Reyes .... .306 BA ... .489 SLG ... .365 OBP ... 13 HR ... 55 RBI .... 95 R

Here's another thing to consider -- no one has been more instrumental in the Mets' turnaround than Delgado. Since June 27, when the Mets began the day four games out of first place, Delgado leads the NL with 19 homers and 58 RBI.

Just something to chew on for those who wanted to RELEASE Delgado back in early June and replace him with Mike Carp. You know who you are. For more on Delgado, here's an entertaining look at his resurgence from our own Wallace Matthews. I especially enjoyed the elevator scene.

On another subject, I like Jimmy Rollins. He's a big-game player and a fun guy to interview. But he really has to stop with the whole "Mets celebrate too much" schtick. It's getting old. I'm happy to publish his quotes because they're amusing, but it's really no big deal if the Mets wants to have a little fun. They've definitely toned it down since last season, anyway.

Loved Jerry Manuel's quotes on the "demons" from last September. Hey Omar, extend Jerry now. He's already shown he's the right guy for this job.

Bottom 9:Ayala pitching. Feliz grounds out to short. Coste grounds out to shortstop. Taguchi grounds out to short. Mets win, 6-3.

Top 9:Reyes singles to left. Castillo sacrifices Reyes to second. Wright strikes out, Reyes goes to third on ball in the dirt. Delgado gets an intentional walk. Beltran flies out to left. Mets 6, Phillies 3

Bottom 8: Feliciano pitching. Howard flies out to left. Victorino grounds out to Wright, who makes a great throw from foul territory. Smith comes into pitch. Werth grounds out to short. Mets 6, Phillies 3

Top 8: Seanez pitching. Castillo grounds out to first. Wright strikes out. Delgado homers to leftfield. Beltran reaches on an infield single. Lidge now pitching. Beltran steals second. Church gets an intentional walk. Murphy hits an RBI double to rightfield. Schneider hits a two-run single. Easley grounds into a fielder's choice. Mets 6, Phillies 3

Bottom 7: Stokes pitching. Coste singles to left. Dobbs pinch hits and grounds into a 4-6-3 double play. Rollins walks and steals second. Utley gets an intentional walk. Burrell grounds out to third. Phillies 3, Mets 2

Top 7: Schneider strikes out. Nick Evans pinch hits for Santana and strikes out. Reyes fouls out to first. Phillies 3, Mets 2

Bottom 6: Burrell doubles to left. Howard walks. Victorino strikes out. Werth fouls out to first. Feliz strikes out. Phillies 3, Mets 2

Top 6: Delgado homers to right. Beltran reaches on an infield single. Kendrick is taken out. Scott Eyre is in. Chruch strikes out. Murphy grounds into 3-6-3 double play. Phillies 3, Mets 2

Bottom 5:Feliz singles. Coste flies out to left. Kendrick strikes out. Rollins walks. Utley grounds out to second. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Top 5: Santana fouls out to third. Reyes grounded out to second. Castillo singles. Wright pops up to second. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Bottom 4:Howard walks. Victorino grounds into a 4-6-3 double play. Werth flies out to left. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Top 4: Delgado lines out to first. Beltran singles to right-center. Church walks. Murphy lines to center. Schneider grounds out. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Bottom 3: Rollins pops up to short. Utley flies to center. Burrell ground out to third. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Top 3: Reyes singles. Castillo lines to center and with Reyes running on the pitch, gets doubled off first base. Wright pops up to first. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Bottom 2: Werth homers to left. Feliz grounded out to short. Coste grounds out. Kendrick strikes out looking. Phillies 3, Mets 1

Top 2:Chruch singles to left and steals second. Murphy strikes out looking. Schneider grounds out to second, Church to third. Santana grounds out to second. Phillies 2, Mets 1

Bottom 1:Rollins bloops a single to left. Utley flies out to right. Burrell strikes out. Rollins gets picked off, but makes it safely to second. Howard hits a two-run homer down the leftfield line for his 36th of the season. Victorino strikes out. Phillies 2, Mets 1

Top 1: Reyes singles. Castillo flies to shallow left. Wright grounds to third, Reyes to second. Delgado singles to right scoring Reyes. Beltran grounds out. Mets 1, Phillies 0

-- Argenis Reyes was indeed the player sent to Triple-A New Orleans to make room for Nelson Figueroa, who was summoned to help out a weary bullpen after Tuesday's 13-inning loss.

-- The Mets have Ricardo Rincon back after loaning him to the Mexican League. He'll report to Triple-A New Orleans and join the Mets when rosters expand.

-- Jerry Manuel said he is sticking with Luis Ayala as closer despite Tuesday's blown save. As for the man he replaced, Billy Wagner played long toss at Shea today after visiting with the doctor on Tuesday. GM Omar Minaya said the elbow swelling is down, but he has no timetable for a return to the mound. Only then will the Mets know for sure if he will make it back this season.

Tonight's lineup:

Reyes (ss)
Castillo (2b)
Wright (3b)
Delgado (1b)
Beltran (cf)
Church (rf)
Murphy (lf)
Schneider (c)
Santana (lhp)

-- BTW, I'll be talking about the Mets later at 6:40 p.m. during the Baseball Tonight segment on ESPN 1050 AM. Tune in.

The Mets have not announced who will be demoted for Figueroa.

Pedro Martinez (3-4, 4.97) vs. Jaimie Moyer (11-7, 3.54)

It's Old-Timers day on the mound tonight as the Mets and Phillies meet with just a half game between them in the NL East standings.

Pedro Martinez, 37, gave one of his best performances of the season when he gave up four runs over seven innings against the Braves at Shea. He struck out six, threw over 100 pitches and even started the eighth inning. In his last start against the Phillies, Martinez allowed two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings in a win. It will be tough to get a comparable performance tonight against a potent Phillies line up and a small Citizens Bank Park.

Moyer, 22-year veteran, ran his streak of allowing three runs or fewer to 14 with a fine effort against Washington. He surrendered one earned run in 6 2/3 innings, but he received a no-decision. In 18 career starts against the Mets the lefty is 7-4 with a 2.85 ERA. He has faced them four times this season, giving up three, two, two and one run in those outings.

Joseph Staszewski is here to take you through all the action.

Bottom of the Thirteenth: Scott Schoenewis comes in. Victorino leads off the inning with a triple. The Mets walk the bases loaded. Brett Myers strikes out looking. Chris Coste singles to center to win it for the Phillies.

PHILLIES 8, METS 7

Top of the Thirteenth: Mets go 1-2-3.

Bottom of the Twelfth: Heilman get the Phillies in order in his third inning of relief. He strikes out Utley and Howard.

Top of the Twelfth: J. C. Romero in for the Phillies. Mets get just a walk by Tatis.

Bottom of the Eleventh: Worth walks with one out. Bruntlett singles to left. Cole Hamels pinch hits because the Phillies have no more bench players. He strikes out looking. Coste hits a ball down to Wright, who cannot find his footing. Rollins pops out with the bases loaded.

Top of the Eleventh: Wright is thrown out by Jason Werth trying to go to second on a ball hit down the right field line to end the inning.

Bottom of the Tenth: Aaron Heilman takes over on the mound. Chris Coste doubles right down the left field line. Rollins flies out to left and Utley is walked intentionally. Burrell strikes out looking. Delgado field a bullet from Howard and takes it to the bag to end the inning.

Top of the Tenth: Ryan Madson comes on in relief for the Phillies. Schneider singles with one out, but A. Reyes hits into a double play.

Bottom of the Ninth: Luis Ayala enters the game and gets the first two out. Werth singles and Brunlett double to right center to score Werth. Reyes makes a great diving stop and throw to throw out Ruiz and send the game to the 10th. METS 7, PHILLIES 7

Top of the Ninth: Brad Lidge comes in to get the Mets 1-2-3.

Bottom of the Eighth: Sanchez comes in to start the inning. He gets the first out, but then gives up a single to Ruiz. Pedro Feliciano is the next pitcher out of the pen and he gives up a single to Dobbs. Rollins single to right to score Ruiz. Felciano strikes out Utley for the second out. Joe Smith is then brought in to face Burrell. Rollins steals second, but Burrell flies out deep to left to end the inning. METS 7 PHILLIES 6

Top of the Eighth: Chad Durbin comes in for the Phillies. Reyes walks and steals second. Easley walks, but Wright ground into a double play to end the inning.

Bottom of the Seventh: Phillies go 1-2-3.

Top of the Seventh: Mets go in order.

Bottom of the Sixth: Brian Stokes comes on in relief. Rollins singles with two outs and is moves to third on an Utley single to center.

Top of the Sixth: Reyes singles and then Easley bunts for a hit. Wright pops out. Scott Eyre comes in and hits Beltran in the foot and then gets Delgado to hit into a double play to end the inning.

Bottom of the Fifth: Condrey, a relief pitcher, singles to lead off the inning. Rollins hits a two-run homer to right. Howard then smacks a two-run homer to left field with one out. Pedro strikes out Feliz with the tying run on second to end an inning that saw five Phillies' hits. METS 7, PHILLIES 5

Top of the Fifth: Castro pulls his hamstring running safe to first when Howard could not scoop a Rollins throw. Schneider replaces him.

Bottom of the Fourth: Pedro Feliz hits a sac fly to center to score Victorino. METS 7, PHILLIES 1

Top of the Fourth: Clay Condrey comes in to pitch. Easley lead off with a triple to put him just a double away from the cycle. He then scores on a ground out to second by Wright. The RBI is Wright's 100th of the season. METS 7, PHILLIES 0

Bottom of the Third: Phillies get just a single and a stolen base from Rollins.

Top of the Third: The Carlos and Carlo get back to back singles to start the inning. Beltran steals third. The Mets get a break when Beltran is hit in fair territory on a ground ball to third, but the ball is called fouls. Tatis hits a three-run homer to left. METS 6, PHILLIES 0

Bottom of the Second: Pedro gets the Phillies in order.

Top of the Second: Easley smacks a homer to left center. METS 3, PHILLIES 0

Bottom of the First: Rollins leads off with a double and Utley is then hit on the foot with a pitch. After Burrell flies out, Howard strikes out, but runners moves to second and third on a double steal. Pedro then strikes out Victorino to end the inning.

Top of the First: Reyes leads off with a triple off the left center field wall. Easely drives him in with a double down the left field line to give the Mets another first inning run. Tatis later singles with the bases loaded and one out to score Easley. METS 2, PHILLIES 0

Reyes (ss)
Easley (2b)
Wright (3b)
Beltran (cf)
Delgado (1b)
Tatis (lf)
Church (rf)
Castro (c)
Martinez (rhp)

Pelfrey is only 24, is fine physically, and two more innings Monday were not going to kill him He threw just 108 pitches. I know what the studies say about a young pitcher exceeding his previous year's total by 30 or more innings. I know there is plenty of evidence to prove it. But Jerry Manuel has been talking about pushing Pelfrey deeper into games since May, and now that he actually has a chance to do so, I say why not?

Pelfrey, a first-round draft pick, is obviously very talented. The Mets' goal now is to develop that mental edge, to transform him into the type of elite pitcher than can dominate a game every time out. That comes from pitching deep into games, from throwing back-to-back CG victories. There's a reason why Pelfrey was the first Met to do it in 13 years, since Bret Saberhagen -- because only special pitchers are capable of doing it.

I'm sure Manuel was feeling a little nervous in the eighth inning when Pelfrey had to score from first base or risk getting run over by Jose Reyes. But Pelfrey is not fragile like Pedro Martinez. He's young and can handle some degree of physical exertion. And if there was a play at the plate, Pelfrey could have just given himself up, which he already was prepared to do.

If the Mets keep worrying Pelfrey with pitch counts, inning totals, etc., etc. that could backfire and make him too cautious. Keep giving him the ball and take the training wheels off. The way Pelfrey is pitching now, it looks like the sky's the limit.

My colleague Ken Davidoff tackles the same topic in today's Newsday while Anthony Rieber details the John Maine saga and the wrecking ball that is Carlos Delgado.

Top 1st: 1-2-3 inning for Pelfrey, who got Darin Erstad to line out while inducing ground outs from former Met Ty Wigginton and Miguel Tejada.

Bottom 1st: Carlos Delgado belted a three-run homer to give the Mets an early lead. Jose Reyes singled and later stole second. Following Luis Castillo’s strike out, David Wright walked before Delgado stepped up to the plate. After the three-run bomb, Carlos Beltran struck out and Ryan Church grounded out. Mets 3, Astros 0.

Top 2nd: Quick inning for Pelfrey. Following a single by Lance Berkman, Geoff Blum hit into a double play and Hunter Pence grounded out.

Bottom 2nd: The Mets went down in order. Daniel Murphy struck out, Brian Schneider flied out and Pelfrey grounded out.

Top 3rd: Pelfrey retired the side in order as Michael Bourn grounded out, Humberto Quintero lined out to Castillo (who made a nice diving catch) and Brian Moehler struck out.

Bottom 3rd: Not much for the Mets this inning other than a single by Wright.

Top 4th: So far, Big Pelf has looked great! He allowed a cheap single to Erstad before getting Wigginton to hit into a DP and striking out Tejada.

Bottom 4th: Mets went down in order.

Top 5th: Big Pelf worked around a double by Blum, who was stranded at third.

Bottom 5th: Reyes smacked a two-out double and Castillo walked, but Wright, who has 99 RBIs, grounded into a fielder’s choice.

Top 6th: Another 1-2-3 inning for Pelf.

Bottom 6th: Mets added another run. Following back-to-back singles by Beltran and Church, Wesley Wright came on for Moehler and issued a sacrifice fly to Murphy. Mets 4, Astros 0.

Top 7th: Other than throwing 11 pitches to Wigginton, Pelf had an easy 1-2-3 inning.

Bottom 7th: Delgado crushed his second three-run homer to put this one out of reach. After Reyes drew a walk, Wright was intentionally walked two batters later before Delgado came up. Mets 7, Astros 0.

Top 8th: Pelf worked around a leadoff single by Blum to keep the Astros off the board.

Bottom 8th: The Mets have built a huge lead. This time the big blow came from a two-run triple by Reyes. Only thing left to see: Will Pelfrey pitch his first career shutout? Mets 9, Astros 0.

Top 9th: For the first time in 13 years a Mets pitcher has earned back-to-back complete-game victories. Pelfrey was outstanding, yet again. He did, however, allow a run. Pinch hitter and former Met David Newhan hit a ground rule double, moved to third on a single by Erstad and scored on Wigginton’s ground out. Final: Mets 9, Astros 1.

Luis Castillo has been activated and is in the lineup against Brian Moehler of the Astros.

Reyes SS
Castillo 2B
Wright 3B
Beltran CF
Delgado 1B
Church RF
Murphy LF
Schneider C
Pelfrey P

That's not to say he's finished yet. If Maine can convince the Mets tomorrow that he will be effective Friday against the Marlins, maybe they'll let him give it another try. Maine apparently prevented Jerry Manuel from shutting him down permanently during a 20-minute meeting in the manager's office before Sunday's game.

But it seems the anti-inflammatory shot didn't do Maine much good, and that suggests he's going to struggle from here on out. His condition won't improve without surgery and the pain isn't going away.Remember, he's dealing with a rotator-cuff strain, too.