The Mets' relief corps contributed 12 1/3 scoreless innings in a three-game sweep of the Brewers. And interim closer Luis Ayala increased his save total to five since arriving from the Nationals. So things are looking up for the recently maligned group.
And now the Mets may not have to piece things together much longer. Closer Billy Wagner appears to be nearing a return from left elbow inflammation. Wagner threw a 20-pitch bullpen session at Shea Stadium on Wednesday. He's scheduled to repeat that Friday, then advance to facing batters later in the weekend, Mets vice president Tony Bernazard said. The Mets prefer that Wagner pitch in a minor league game rather than in a simulated setting.
Regardless, all signs point to Wagner returning to the big-league club on Tuesday when the Mets open a series against the Nationals.
Despite their strong showing in Milwaukee, the bullpen has been heavily relied upon in Wagner's absence, and fatigue down the stretch is a concern. Four of the Mets' primary relievers -- Pedro Feliciano (74 appearances), Aaron Heilman (71), Joe Smith (71) and Ayala (71) -- are among the top seven relievers in the majors in appearances this season.
METS 9, BREWERS 2: Ryan Church's grand slam highlighted a six-run first inning as the Mets swept the National League's wild-card leader in a potential NL Division Series preview. Church homered for the first time since June 1, before the right fielder missed seven weeks trying to rid himself of post-concussion symptoms. Oliver Perez limited Milwaukee to two runs in 6 2/3 innings as the Mets completed a difficult trip to Philadelphia, Florida and Milwaukee with a 6-2 record.
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