Sponsored by Shea Stadium Remembered
Jose Valentin singles home Carlos Delgado in the 10th inning as the Mets scratch out the only run of the afternoon at Shea Stadium. Rookie John Maine, Duaner Sanchez, Billy Wagner, and Aaron Heilman, who got the win, combine on the 1-0 shutout. Despite the exciting, taut pitching duel, it can be viewed from hindsight as a bittersweet day at the Big Shea. It is the last Shea appearance in 2006 for Duaner Sanchez, whose season—and shoulder—will be shattered in a late-night taxi cab accident on the ensuing Mets road trip. A no decision goes to Mark Prior, whose 5-2/3 innings of shutout ball against the eventual NL East champs will be the last successful start of a ballyhooed career laid low by injury. Valentin’s winning hit comes off Glendon Rusch, an important member of the last Mets playoff team in 2000, now just another opponent walking off the field as the ’06 Mets celebrate.