[Amazin69]

I understand that Edlose Diaz is pretty much an elder statesman on this team. (Who preceded his 2019 arrival who's still here? Nimmo came up in 2016 and McNeil had a 2018 September cameo and that's it, right?) So it's understandable that his bullpen mates miss him and want to let him know they're with him during his suspension.

But there's a way to do that…and last night's "tribute act" wasn't it. EIGHT unanswered runs…are you kidding me?

(Yes, they're still 16-5 since that game they gave away against the Snakes. But come on.)

And au revoir Drew Smith. Come back next year, okay?

(Actually, Drew was up in 2018. Got into 27 games, research shows. He missed '19 with surgery. so I think of him as not being a permanent part of the team until COVID-ball, but he also preceded Edlose. That's three, then.)

ETA: Just realized that the bullpen blew a chance for the Mets to clinch a winning first half, which would be fairly remarkable, given the 10-25 skid that led to the famous player meeting. Could have been 41-39.

Now it's 40-40, with today's game either being thumbs up or thumbs down on the first half. Drama! (Eh.)