Mets Staying Alive in Playoff Race Meltdown

Who can ever know whether Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo, who took a fight to the Mets, actually helped bring the fight out of the Mets, or if it was strikeout after strikeout from starter John Maine that kept New York alive. But New York is certainly not dead yet. These Mets are livelier than they have been in weeks after an amazing 13-0 win against Florida, which keeps their season alive.
With Philadelphia's 4-2 loss to the Washington Nationals, the Mets are now tied for first in the National League East. It was the first time the Mets were not in sole possesion of first place since May. New York and Philadelphia are also one game back in the wild-card race after the San Diego Padres fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in 11 innings Saturday.
A Mets clubhouse that had been somber on Friday night was absolutely giddy on Saturday evening. David Wright, who had challenged himself and teammates with an impassioned plea to the media after Friday's loss, now joked with reporters.
John Maine, who was aquired in trade with Baltimore Orioles last year, carried a no-hitter until the eighth inning. With two outs in the eighth, third-string Marlins catcher Paul Hoover hit a slow ground ball toward third base. The ball trickled up the line so slowly, Wright did not even make a throw to first base after he gloved it. John Maine ended up with 14 strikeouts , the most since Al Lieter in 1999. With this spectacular performance Maine kept him and his team alive and possible saved them from having the biggest collapse in baseball history.