Tremendous pitching. Two big hits by a backup backstop.  It was a great night to be a Mets fan.  A 2-1 victory in 11 innings over the hated Marlins.

There wasn’t much offense at Citi Field Friday night and the little there was came from one man.  Mets backup catcher Omir Santos yanked a fifth-inning home run to tie the game before later pulling the game-winning single into left field.

If your memory serves you properly, you’ll recall it was Mr. Metsmerized who asked Mets brass to give this guy a chance. 

Well, he got his chance, and all he has done is deliver.  Already holding a clear edge over former Met Ramon Castro, who was dealt to the White Sox following Friday’s win, and Brian Deadwood Schneider in sheer athleticism, Santos has only separated himself more from the other two.

If Manuel really believes in rewarding players based upon performance, then Santos will be back in the lineup when the Mets take their hacks at righty Josh Johnson on Saturday.

Instead, the Citi Field Faithful will likely be treated to left-handed swinging Brian Schneider (I’d call him left-handed hitting Brian Schneider, but he doesn’t do that often).