Best Of Mets, 1st Half

10/4, NYM 6, ATL 1 - Pedro Martinez The Mets were off to an 0-5 start when Pedro Martinez made his second start -- and a permanent imprint on his colleagues. He changed the direction of the season with a dominating performance, a two-hitter at Turner Field. A mid-course correction was likely, of course, but Martinez made it an event when he outpitched John Smoltz, who struck out 15 in eight innings. 15/4 15, NYM 4, FLA 0 - Aaron Heilman Five days later, all things seemed possible after Aaron Heilman pitched the 28th one-hitter in franchise history, at Shea Stadium. An infield single by Luis Castillo in the fourth inning denied Heilman a no-hitter.

19/4 19, NYM 16, PHI 4 - David Wright and Mike Piazza The team that had hit 12 home runs in its first 13 games went to Citizens Bank Park for the 14th and hit a club-record seven in that bandbox -- one a grand slam by Wright and one a monster shot by Piazza. The 16-run output is so far a season high for the Mets.