The sun seems to shine a little bit brighter today, doesn’t it?

A shutout from an unexpected source will do that for you. Mike Pelfrey, the Mets first 2-game winner of 2008, showed us exactly why we should be grateful he wasn’t part of the haul for Johann the Magnificent. 7 IP, 2 walks, 4 K’s, 5 hits. I’ll take that any day of the week & twice on Sundays. Pelfrey “pounded the zone,” as the current argot goes, and showed a little moxie.

David Wright continues to be David Wright, slamming balls all over the yard. And welcome back Jose! Reyes. Performances like last night’s remind me what all the fuss was about. This man can play the game when his head’s on straight and the hammies aren’t barking.

All in all, a fitting tribute to Jackie Robinson by the home folks.

This was a win out of the 2006 mold. Hell, “we” even had Duaner Sanchez back for the first time in a year-and-a-half. Watching last night, I had a feeling I hadn’t felt since at least last Memorial Day: that this team is gonna be alright. Pedro out indefinitely? No problem: we’ve got Nelson Figueroa! El Duque in a boot? Pelfrey’ll step in and mow ‘em down! Castillo’s slumping? No sweat, just drop him to the 8-hole! I even can’t get on Willie for anything today. It just all seems good.

I know, I know, it’s against the Nationals, who aren’t exactly the next coming of the ‘84 Tigers. Still, it’s been so long since I’ve had this feeling, I wanna roll around in it for a bit.

Maine goes tonight. Take another draught from the cask of ‘06.