postGame: Mets 7 Nationals 2
The Mets (85–67) defeated the Nationals (58–95) by the score of 7 to 2 in Washington, D.C., tonight.
For a recap, boxscore and stats from tonight’s game, click here.
Lastings Milledge misjudged a hit by Daniel Murphy in the first inning, which allowed Jose Reyes to score the game’s first run. Actually, Milledge barely hustled after the ball, as it rolled to the warning track behind him. Now, I’m not saying Milledge intentionally laid up on the ball, but, man, it certainly looked like it. If so, thanks L’Millz.
The Mets are 31–9 when Reyes scores in the first inning.
Brian Schneider hit two home runs. Two. He also threw out a runner trying to steal second.
In the third, a poor read by Elijah Dukes turned in to a two-out RBI double off the center-field wall from Carlos Beltran, which was followed by a two-out RBI from Ryan Church. I dig the pedal-to-the-metal offense. I hope this continues.
Ryan Zimmerman robbed David Wright of two hits with two sensational defensive plays – and, for some reason, I’m pretty sure I wrote those exact words before. Or, it’s just deja-vu.
It has to be said, Wright looks awful at the plate. I mean, just down-right lost. He has a huge, ugly upper cut going, and, as Keith Hernandez put it, ‘he is flailing at pitches.’ I have no idea what the problem is, but hopefully a change of scenery and a new set of pitchers will help.
Johan Santana, who had a single, a double, and who scored a run, looked outstanding on the mound through most of the game, letting up just one run, while walking two and striking out eight, despite giving up eight hits.
By the way, Santana has not lost a game in the second half, during which the Mets are 9–3. His second-half ERA is 2.39.
I was not comfortable seeing the bullpen inherit just a six-run lead, and though Joe Smith allowed a run in one inning of work, Scott Schoeneweis and Pedro Feliciano looked strong to protect the win.
The Brewers lost tonight, meaning the Mets now lead the Wild Card by two losses. However, the Phillies won their seventh game in a row, and continue to lead the NL East by one win, though the Mets and Phillies remain tied in the loss column.
The Mets begin a three-game series with the Braves in Atlanta tomorrow night, starting at 7 pm, with Oliver Perez (10-7, 4.09 ERA) taking on Jo Jo Reyes (3-11, 5.50 ERA), while the Phillies head to Miami to take on the Marlins.
