The Mets lost to the Pirates, 3–1, in PNC Park tonight.
For a full recap, and boxscore, go here.
The Least You Should Know:

Due to injuries and illness the Mets sent out a spring training lineup against Zach Duke, which scratched out one run on eight hits.
Filling in for a flu-ridden Carlos Beltran, Jeremy Reed tied a [...]

John Maine, who had another up-and-down start, was hanging on to a 3-2 lead in the 6th inning with Casey Blake at the plate and two men on base.
Maine, speaking to reporters after the game, said one bad pitch did him in:
“It’s always one pitch.  I hung it, and it was a bad pitch.  The [...]

The Mets (12–13) defeated the Braves (11–15) by the score of 4 to 3 at Turner Field in Atlanta tonight.
For a full recap and boxscore, go here.
The least you should know…

Carlos Beltran had two singles tonight, setting a career-high 16-game hitting streak.
Ramon Castro went 3-4 (2 2B) with one RBI.
The game was broken open [...]

In the first of a weekly feature on MetsBlog.com, I asked the rest of the staff to chime in on a specific topic:
Regis Courtemanche:  Whether it is hitting with runners in scoring position, their starting pitching, or something else, what do you think is the Mets’ biggest issue right now?
Matthew Cerrone:  In terms of talent, I’d [...]

The Mets (9-11) lost to the Marlins (12-8), 7 to 4, at Citi Field tonight.
For a full recap and boxscore, go to SNY.tv.
The least you should know…

The Mets got on the board first with Gary Sheffield’s two-run triple, plating Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran.
Speaking of Cora, he had a good night filling in for Luis [...]

As the Mets kickoff a three-game series versus the Nationals at CitiField tonight, I did a quick Q&A with Ed Chigliak from Federal Baseball:
Brandon Eddy: After starting the season 1-10, which included blowing three straight games last weekend, Nationals management didn’t waste time by shaking up the bullpen on Monday. Do you see the [...]

Darren O’Day, who was designated for assignment by the Mets on Saturday, was claimed by the Texas Rangers according to Ken Davidoff of Newsday.
Although O’Day posted a 0.00 ERA over four games, Davidoff writes that Mets officials were frustrated with him allowing all three of his inherited runners score.
…geez, imagine if the Mets showed more [...]

The Mets (6–7) lost to the Cardinals, 6 to 4, in St. Louis tonight.
For a full recap and boxscore, go to SNY.tv.
The least you should know…

The Mets scored four runs on 10 hits in the first five innings, but had only one hit from the 6th inning on.
Oliver Perez pitched a solid four innings but [...]

During a chat for ESPN.com, Keith Law had the following to say when asked about Daniel Murphy playing second base in the Arizona Fall League and if it was wishful thinking on the Mets part that he will show adequate range and hands for the position.
“He didn’t have a single moderately difficult play, so I [...]

At his blog for ESPN.com, Buster Olney breaks down the potential teams that would fit free-agent 2B Orlando Hudson.
As far as the Mets are concerned, Olney writes:
“It seems all but certain that the Mets will work to dump Luis Castillo, whose signing was a mistake, and Hudson would fit New York perfectly in so [...]

In the Arizona Republic, columnist Nick Piecoro speculates that the D’Backs could look to trade OF Eric Byrnes, though it would be a ‘tough deal.’

Piecoro wonders if the Mets would be interested in acquiring Byrnes, and his two-year, $22 million contract, in exchange for Luis Castillo, who is due to earn [...]

According to Buster Olney at ESPN.com, David Wright is one of the tangible things that the Mets need to fix for the 2009 season.
In the report, Olney writes:
“They need to help him work through his apparent anxiety in high-pressure situations … He cares so deeply that he puts enormous pressure on himself, and this trait [...]

According to Adam Rubin at the Daily News, Brian Schneider returns to the lineup tonight but he is not 100 percent.
After feeling upper-back discomfort yesterday, he went to the Hospital for Special Surgery for some chiropractic treatment and x-rays.  Schneider tested out his back this afternoon and deemed himself ready to go.

There are losses and then there are kicked-in-the-groin type losses like last night.
It feels like I am watching Apollo Creed getting bludgeoned to death, but I also refuse to throw in the towel just yet.
Following the game last night, David Wright, speaking to reporters, said:
“It’s a four-game season.  It all comes down to who wants [...]

At ESPN.com, both Buster Olney and Rob Neyer held chats today and the Mets were one of the many discussed topics.
Olney had the following to say when asked if the final game at Shea will be relevant or will the Mets have already ripped out the fans’ heart:
“You don’t want to hear my answer. I [...]