postGame: Nationals 7 Mets 2
The Nationals (57-93) are determined to play the role of spoiler 
down the stretch as they defeated the Mets (83-66) by the score of 7 to 2 tonight in Washington.
For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., from last night’s loss, go to SNY.tv.
Well this is why it’s called a pennant race as it has become evident for some time now that every game is of the utmost importance. The Mets’ lead in the NL East has diminished to half a game.
Long Island native John Lannan held the Mets at bay, allowing just a double to Brian Schneider in the third. Lannan went seven, and gave up one run.
Pedro Martinez had nice movement on his fastball, and gave them a good outing…until the sixth. Former Met Anderson Hernandez had a two-out, two run single to give the Nats a three run lead. I would love to see Pedro be able to stay in the game longer by being more effective, but he has only gone 7 innings twice in 18 appearances.
Ricardo Rincon got two quick outs in the seventh only to be relieved by Duaner Sanchez who allowed a walk, single, then three-run blast to Elijah Dukes. I’m no big league manager, but why is it that skippers always bring in righties to face righties and vice versa in spots like this. I know the stats dictate to do so, but nothing frustrates me more than when they do it and the previous reliever is cruising. Play the hot hand, offensively and defensively.
The Mets had a chance with the bases loaded in the eighth, but David Wright hit into an inning ending double play.
In other news, Bobby Parnell had a nice major league debut, Lee Mazzilli’s Shave Zone commercial seems to have replaced Guiseppe Franco, and Teddy Roosevelt lost the President’s Race…again.
Mike Pelfrey (13-9) matches up against Odalis Perez (6-10) tomorrow in the nation’s capital.
