Mets force a Game Seven with history on their side

NEW YORK (AP) History is on the side of the New York Mets when they play the St. Louis Cardinals in tonight's Game 7 to decide the National League pennant. <br/><br/>Home teams that have won a Game

Thursday, October 19th 2006, 5:38 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) History is on the side of the New York Mets when they play the St. Louis Cardinals in tonight's Game 7 to decide the National League pennant.

Home teams that have won a Game 6 to tie a postseason series have won 11 straight Game 7 since 1975.

The Mets have John Maine to thank for getting them to tonight's Game 7. Maine pitched a game to remember as the Mets beat St. Louis 4-2 to stay alive and tie their National League Championship Series at 3 games apiece.

Maine combined with 4 relievers on a 7 hitter. Maine allowed just 2 hits and struck out 5 in his 5 1-3 innings.

Jose Reyes led off the Mets' 1st inning with a homer off Cards ace Chris Carpenter. Shawn Green's RBI single in the 4th scored Carlos Beltran for the Mets' second run. Paul LoDuca's 2 run single in the 7th delivered 2 more runs.

The Cards will start Jeff Suppan, who pitched 8 shutout innings in Game 3. Mets skipper Willie Randolph is going with Oliver Perez in Game 7.

Tonight's winner advances to play the well rested Detroit Tigers in the World Series starting Saturday night in Detroit.