Break out the brooms; Alou gone

So what does a three-game sweep of the Giants really mean? Maybe not much, but considering how the Mets' season has gone, and considering their frustrating inability to put lesser teams away, the sweep -- coming on the heels of three straight wins against the Phillies -- was still very much welcomed and at least shows the doldrums are over.

John Maine just didn't have it, despite allowing just two hits in 4 1/3. He struggled with his pitch count and walked five, the worst being the walk to Barry Zito in the fifth with one out. A walk to Fred Lewis followed, and then Maine got Burriss for what should have been the final out of the inning. But Randy Winn, one of the few somewhat dangerous hitters the Giants have, got up and doubled in two.

But these new Mets are showing more fight than Willie's boys did, and Fernando Tatis is looking like the second coming of Jose Valentin. His two-run homer in the seventh jump-started a four-run rally that saw a key Giants error and an RBI single by Reyes (Jose).

The bullpen, again, was brilliant, with Muniz, Schoeneweis, Sanchez and Wagner allowing just one hit. Wagner needed just five pitches - all strikes - to finish the ninth.

So the red-hot Mets will move on without Moises Alou, who tore a hamstring trying to rehab his calf. He redefines the word 'brittle,' but at his age, can we be surprised? He certainly produced when he was in the lineup, but at this point it's a relief to not have to wonder when he might be back. Of course, Omar needs to bring in a full-time player, especially with Church's status unclear. Sammy Sosa, anyone?

And I'm glad in a way that David Wright isn't in the All-Star game, if only because I'd rather see this team have the rest. But it is an absolute joke that he is not in the game - he's second in the league in RBIs - and Reyes should be in there over Miguel "What's my age again?" Tejada. UPDATE: Wright was named Friday afternoon as the replacement for the injured Alfonso Soriano. Here's hoping he homers in the House that Ruth built.

So we'll take the days off and come back fresh, with sights set on first place.

Unless they get there after the Rockies series. The Good Ollie goes tonight.