On a day that featured game after game of horrible gutless college football performances, it was good to see somebody take matters into their own hands and come up big. That guy was Johan Santana.

 

After watching meltdown after meltdown by the Mets pen and the New Yorkers facing virtual playoff elimination, Santana demanded the ball from manager Jerry Manual and went out a threw a dominating three-hit complete-game shutout on three days rest. Santana walked three and struck out nine throwing 117 pitches.

 

It was just the second time in the Venezuelan southpaw’s career and the first time since the 2004 playoffs that Santana had pitched on th ree days rest. Making the effort all the more impressive was the fact that Santana had thrown a career high 125 pitches in his last start, a complete-game 6-2 win over the Cubs.

 

Santana has very quietly put together a Cy Young type year for the Mets. After a slow start, Santana has not lost since June 28th going 9-0 in his last 17 starts. Santana has thrown 234 innings with a 2.53 ERA with 206 strikeouts and just 63 walks. If the Mets do manage to make the playoffs, Santana will be able to go in Games II and V on complete rest.

 

Santana was THE free agent acquisition over the winter, getting $135 million for seven years. In his first year at Shea, he’s certainly given the Mets the money’s worth in era of no-heart, no-production, overpaid prima donnas.