postGame: Mets 6 Nationals 3
The Mets (20-17) defeated the Nationals (16-24) by a score of 6 to 3 tonight at Shea Stadium.
For a complete recap and box score, check out SNY.tv.
John Maine was outstanding tonight. It’s a shame a couple Damion Easley errors and a high pitch count knocked him out after six innings. Maine may have been the third starter going into the season, but clearly he has established himself as the team’s number two.
Can Ryan Church do no wrong? He plays great defense and continues to come through in big spot after big spot this season. And, tonight was no exception with four RBIs, including the go-ahead RBI double in the sixth, which was terribly misplayed by Austin Kearns. It’s official, I have a man-crush on Ryan Church and I’m not ashamed to admit. Keep it going, Ryno.
Without Church I don’t know how this team would score runs. The team continues to come up short and squander opportunities when they have men in scoring position. In four consecutive innings (2nd – 5th) the Mets had opportunities to break this game open, but let the pitcher off the hook going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position during those innings. The offense does a wonderful job getting men on, but they just haven’t had the ability to consistently put crooked numbers up on the board. And, this team will continue their seesaw season if the offense continues to sputter.
Duaner Sanchez raised my blood pressure a bit, getting himself in a eighth inning jam by walking two, but recovered nicely striking out Lastings Milledge and getting Kearns to ground out. Sanchez is still struggling with his control, but you can see his velocity is coming back, which is a great sign.
Anytime you see Billy Wagner on the mound this season you know it’s a win. Wagner continues his early season dominance and locked up his eighth save of the season. Exit light, enter night…
Good bounce back win tonight, guys.
The Mets continue their four-game series against the Nationals tomorrow night with Claudio Vargas making his Mets debut.
