Last Sunday, I suggested the Mets would struggle to score runs. Since making that claim, they’ve scored 10 runs in three of their last five games (currently leading 10-0 against DC today at Shea), and a player I characterized as a “spare part”, RF Victor Diaz, has been a major contributor throughout.

As the NL’s pitchers get to see Diaz (above) for a 2nd and 3rd time, I have a hard time imagining him continuing to produce at his current rate, but for the time being, the Mets are getting a lot more out of the 8th spot in the batting order than we’d have any right to expect. And I don’t think anyone would’ve presumed the same kind of performance from Mike Cameron this April.

Cliff Floyd’s terrific first month is another reason why the Mets have rebounded from their miserable 0-5 start ; not only is Floyd hitting the ball with authority, but he stole 2nd twice in the second inning against Al Leiter and Paul Lo Duca Thursday night, doing so without the benefit of crutches, a Rascal or unicycle. If Floyd can somehow manage to play in 140 or so games this season, New York will be ver grateful there were no takers for the left fielder over the winter.

UPDATE : Mets 10, Nationals 5. NY starter Jae Won Seo was a last minute call-up from Norfolk folliwng Kaz Ishii’s placement on the 15 day DL and had one his finest days as a Met, holding the Nats to one run over 6 innings. Carlos Barega, incredibly still employed by a major league club, had a nightmarish 5th inning at 3rd base, the sort that you’d associate with someone playing in the wrong position (if not the wrong decade).