I don’t know whether it was the Met hitters enjoying some home cooking, a pregame pep talk by Willie, or simply just Carlos Silva leaving fat pitches over the plate. It doesn’t really matter, because sometimes a pitcher grooving fastballs is all it takes to break the dam of tension that has been progressively building with every runner left in scoring position.

The funny thing about a omni-lineup slump is that usually, when one or two guys break out, the floodgates open. As unfortunate as it has been to have two of the best hitters in the National League looking clueless for the past month, once they regain form the rebound effect is enough to carry an offense. Delgado suddenly looked comfortable every time he was at the plate last night, and Beltran hit the ball hard in all of his at bats before finally breaking through with a clutch double in the eighth.

John Maine, who has really been solid all year (12 of 14 quality starts), also rebounded nicely, finally working ahead of batters and breezing through a talented, if not balanced, Minnesota windup. Fans can only hope this was a sign that Maine has regained command of his sneaky tailing fastball, and not just a product of the Twins hitters unfamiliarity with him.

With Chavez on the shelf for what could be a lengthy period of time, it was nice to see Ricky Ledee pickup a key two out-RBI and a homer, if for no other reason than to put some pressure on the starting outfield to start producing.

Tomorrow’s game against the much heralded Johan Santana might not be an automatic loss. Although he has been cursed with a lack of run support, Santana has not been the dominating pitcher that he was the past two seasons. Maybe the Amazins can sneak a run or two off of him and ride Jorge Sosa’s hot hand on the mound.

Watchout, Mets fans; Lastings Milledge is back on the field and beginning his rehab in the Minor Leagues. Forget the need to bring him up and buttress the paper thin outfield; I’m just hoping this means that his album is finally finished. I Can’t wait to see the work of LMillz hit the shelves.