Mets’ season comes to an end with Game Seven loss to Cardinals

BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - While many assumed the World Series would go through the “Big Apple,” the playoffs turned out to be sour grapes for the New York Mets.

Considered the clear favorite to reach the World Series out of the National League, the Mets’ season came to an end Thursday, when they dropped a 3-1 decision to the surprising St. Louis Cardinals, who moved onto the World Series for the second time in three years.

Meanwhile, the Mets are left only with the memories of a 97-win regular season and six bittersweet playoff victories.

“Yeah, I’m a baseball fan and as much as I’d love to participate, I think it would be good for all of us to watch (the World Series),” New York third baseman David Wright said. “I think it’s going to push us this offseason. We’re knocking on the door and the way that (general manager Omar Minaya) and management and the front office have turned this organization around from the time that I’ve been here has been phenomenal.

“I’m going to watch it. It’s going to hurt a little bit. But I think it’s going to motivate us and push us and hopefully next year we’re there.”

The Mets’ 4-2 triumph in Wednesday’s Game Six appeared to give the team the momentum it needed heading into Game Seven, but they were unable to close the deal despite a fine effort from Oliver Perez.

Pitching on only three days’ rest, Perez tossed six effective innings, yielding just a run, four hits and two walks. The Mexican lefthander was solid considering his 3-13 mark during the regular season, making him the pitcher with the worst record to ever start a Game Seven.

“Right now I don’t feel so good, but I’m happy with how I finished my season,” said Perez, who caught a huge break in the sixth inning when left fielder Endy Chavez robbed Scott Rolen of a two-run homer.

“I’m real proud of Oliver,” Mets manager Willie Randolph said. “He did a tremendous job for us. He stepped up and just gave us more than we expected really, more than a quality start.”

Jeff Suppan was even better, surrendering only a run and two hits with four strikeouts in seven-plus frames.

The righthander was named NLCS MVP after putting together two stellar performances in this series. He threw eight scoreless innings and homered in a 5-0 win in Game Three.

“I never really thought I’d be in situations like this,” Suppan said. “I just go out there and go pitch by pitch.”

New York’s door to the World Series began to close slowly in the top of the ninth.

After Rolen reached on a one-out single, Yadier Molina snapped a 1-1 tie with a two-run homer to left field against Mets reliever Aaron Heilman.

“It was a changeup a little bit away, the pitch I was looking for,” Molina said. “I was just praying and thanking God for the opportunity as I rounded the bases.”

“I was ready and prepared and unfortunately one pitch got away,” Heilman said.

Facing a two-run deficit, Jose Valentin and Chavez started the bottom of the frame with consecutive singles. After pinch hitter Cliff Floyd struck out and Jose Reyes lined out to center, Paul Lo Duca drew a walk against closer Adam Wainwright to load the bases for Cardinals nemesis Carlos Beltran.

The switch hitter watched the Mets’ playoff run come to an end just like the rest of New York’s adoring fans, watching Wainwright’s curveball drop into the zone for strike three.

“It’s tough. But I leave everything I have out there,” Beltran said. “I would have loved to get the hit, but sometimes you have to live with good memories of this game and sometimes you have to live bad memories. Today was a bad one.”

So, the Mets and the New York Yankees end up in the same boat despite finishing with the best record in their respective leagues. The biggest accomplishment for the Mets this year was winning their first NL East title since 1988.

The Yankees won their ninth consecutive American League East crown, but lost in the ALDS, three games to one, to the eventual AL champion Detroit Tigers.

The Cardinals continue their championship quest in Game One of the World Series on Saturday night against the Tigers, who swept the Oakland Athletics in the ALCS to punch their ticket to the Fall Classic.

“My thoughts really aren’t (on the Tigers) yet,” Suppan admitted. “I’m just trying to live in this moment and enjoy this time.”