Mets Beat Cubs; Is Manny Acosta the Closer?

The Mets beat the Cubs 5-4 with a run in the bottom of the ninth Friday night. But the big question emerging from the game — has Manny Acosta taken over the closer role from Bobby Parnell?

Early on it looked like it was going to be another of those Mike Pelfrey nights. He walked two to load the bases in the first inning but managed to get out of it. Then he left gave up a towering two-run homer in the third to Carlos Pena and another run in the fourth to dig a 3-0 hole. But he settled down from there, allowing just the three runs through 6.2 innings.

The Mets tied the game in the bottom of the fourth — two runs scored on ground outs, the other on a Jason Bay double, his second of the game. The suddenly rejuvenated Bay has an eight-game hitting streak, during which time he raised his average from .230 to .244.

They took the 4-3 lead in the following inning when Justin Turner doubled to shallow right.

Now to the bullpen drama. Parnell, who has struggled as the closer, was called upon to get the final out of the eighth inning. He did so, but not before walking a batter. Instead of allowing him to go for the four-out save, Terry Collins brought in Acosta in the ninth. Acosta got his first save of the season on Wednesday, a day after Parnell blew the save opportunity in that 12 inning game against the Marlins. I just wonder if Collins has more faith in Acosta than Parnell at this point.

However, it didn’t work. Acosta gave up a walk and two hits as the Cubs tied the game at four.

But then in the bottom of the ninth, Jason Pridie (pinch running for Nick Evans who singled to lead off the inning) on second, two outs, the Cub elected to walk Jose Reyes to face Turner. It was the right move, but it backfired as Turner launched a ball to the warning track in center. Turner was credited with a single as Pridie scampered around to score. Mets win 5-4.

But who’s the closer?