I'd say the biggest hit in the 6-run explosion was Lo Duca's, to advance Reyes to 3rd. Sure, Valentin's hit was huge, both because it really drove a stake into that game and because it was important for Valentin personally to pick up a hit in a clutch situation.
But Lo Duca's hit was the biggest because it was the toughest. If Lo Duca doesn't get that hit, most likely the inning fizzles like so many others in this series, or maybe we pick up a run or two at best. But by getting that hit, it all but guarantees a big inning. Beltran's job is far easier with Reyes on 3rd and 0 outs - even a fly ball picks up a run, which drops the pressure. Also, a DP doesn't end the inning, and even any ground ball probably scores Reyes. And as each successive batter reaches base, it becomes that much easier for the next guy to hit since the pressure rises dramatically on the pitcher as the wheels start coming off. With bases loaded and 0 outs, you might as well leave the ball on a tee for Delgado - it probably wouldn't go as far. And even Wright and Green with their problems at the plate are too good at hitting to miss an opportunity like that.
So, once again, the deadly combination of Reyes and Lo Duca comes through. I can't imagine anyone on the Mets (or even in baseball) being as clutch as the Duke when Reyes reaches base. It really is astounding how often he makes contact and advances Reyes, and that is the key to setting the table for 3-4-5.
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Can't argue with you. LoDuca is a guy who has the highest batting average in the NL since July 1 (at least according to McCarver last night--so I can't say it w/ 100% certainty), but that doesn't really tell the story. He'd be a prolific singles hitter in most lineups, but in this lineup he's devastating. As SHK pointed out, and I'd love to see someone run the splits, it seems like LoDuca hits around .500 when Reyes gets on in front of him. LoDuca seems to have learned a lot from hitting behind Reyes all year--he seems to predict how pitchers are going respond to threat of Reyes' basestealing ability, and he makes his hitting adjustments accordingly. Jose and The Duke are as dangerous a tandem at the top of the lineup as I've seen in a Met uniform since Dykstra/Backman, and possibly more so.
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