Over the years, enough animals have stampeded through both Shea and Yankee Stadium to fill the exhibits of a real zoo. With both ballparks closing after this season, here are some of the meetings between ballplayer and beast.

Mike Pelfrey's winning streak ended at six games, three shy of Frank Viola's franchise record. "He didn't have to pitch at this place," said Pelfrey, who received a no-decision in the Mets' 7-5, 10-inning win.

The Mets have had four players wear No. 6 this season - Gustavo Molina, Nick Evans, Abraham Nunez and Trot Nixon - creating a tie with the 2004 season for the most times the Mets have issued it or any other number.

Third baseman Edwin Encarnacion hit one of Cincinnati's three homers off Mike Pelfrey, then made a throwing error in the 10th inning that helped the Mets rally for a 7-5 victory Sunday and a split of their four-game series.

Billy Wagner is headed for an exam at the Hospital for Special Surgery Monday after experiencing cramping and mild tightness in his left shoulder. Wagner struck out the side in the 10th inning for his 24th save.

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And so it is, the ever-shifting fortunes of the Mets and Phillies collide at Shea in a battle for first place over the next three days and, if nothing else, we should get a sense if this is a renaissance.

The Mets watched a chance to regain a first-place tie with the Phillies slip away. Josh Fogg pitched six solid innings and Cincinnati Reds beat the Mets, 7-2, Saturday night at Great American Ball Park.

Luis Castillo may be signed through 2011, but Daniel Murphy was astute when he asked to switch positions to second base. Murphy asked Binghamton manager Mako Oliveras to move to the other side of the infield last month.

The Mets' home run apple, all 582 pounds of it, appears to the right of the 410-foot mark in center field at Shea. No one can remember exactly when it made its debut, but there will be some sort of apple at the Mets' new home, Citi Field, next season.