Lastings Milledge Sticks it to the New York Mets

8-22-10: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. the New York Mets qThe big story of this game is Zach Duke's unexpectedly-terrific start. I say unexpectedly because his previous start was awful, and the first inning looked like he was going to hit his Brick Wall right away rather than waiting until the fifth inning. Looking back on that first inning now, I am amazed that this game turned out the way it did. I left saturday's game once a steadily-increasing downpour shut down a game we were losing 5-1, with James McDonald logging his first truly poor start in Pittsburgh. Today's first inning made it seem like the ensuing disaster had become trapped under the tarp last night and had emerged pissed-off and ready to ensure another crushing loss. Lead-off hitter Jose Reyes benefited from an awful throw from Doumit to first base, and essentially made it to second off of a bunt. Reyes then proceeded to steal third, at which point Carlos Beltran hit a sacrifice fly to drive in an early r...