The Mets wrapped up their opening homestand of the 2012 season with a 4-0 loss to Stephen Strasburg and the Washing Nationals. Wednesday’s game was billed as a big pitching match-up between Johan Santana and Strasburg, and also as a celebration of the first game ever played by the Mets. Roger Craig threw out the first pitch, and that was pretty much the only highlight for the Mets.

3-Up:

  • Good Starting Pitching: Let’s give some credit to the Met’s starters. Mike Pelfrey, Dillon Gee and Johan all turned in good starting efforts. Good enough to win in the cases of both Gee and Johan. Sadly Gee was outdone by Detwiler while Johan had to contend with Strasburg, The Nats certainly do have some quality starters.
  • 9th Inning Dramatics: Going back to Monday night’s game, the 9th inning was pretty dramatic. We had Daniel Murphy making a great play to end the top of the ninth inning, and then come up with a clutch game winning hit in the bottom of the ninth for the Mets’ first walk-off victory of the season. It’s been a while since we’ve caught some good 9th inning drama – it was great to see it again.
  • Jon Rauch: So far, Rauch has been pretty solid this season, and I enjoyed watching him pump his fist after Murph’s play Monday night. Energy & enthusiasm from the bullpen, I love it.

3-Down:

  • Wright’s Pinkie Finger: David Wright has a broken right pinky and might be missing a few games. Or he could be back tomorrow for the start of the Phillies series. If he’s hurt, the right move would be for the Mets to put him on the DL and bring someone up like Valdespin or Lutz. It’s a tough break, because Wright was off to a real good start.
  • Tuesday’s Lineup: I know it couldn’t be avoided, but let’s make a new rule for Terry to follow: You cannot sit both David Wright & Ike Davis on the same night. Geez that lineup was impotent. The right handed laden lineup on Tuesday didn’t work, and only highlighted the fact the Mets have one of the most shallow, weakest benches in the majors. Also Tuesday’s defense showed what we all know, there will be times the right side of the field will be a disaster. Murph & Duda reminded us. One last rant here, Mr. Batista, it’s over. Call it a career.
  • Awful Umpiring: Are these the best professional, major league umpires we can find? Strike zones were expanding and shrinking from inning to inning… It seemed like we were the ones being pinched every time it changed. 10 walks on Wednesday? Really? We also had a few blown plays on the basepaths. First inning on Wednesday the Mets clearly had the third out at second base, but the umps missed it. They keep getting worse instead of better.

It’s off to Philadelphia for a weekend set with the Phils, and the first road trip of the season. Let’s hope the Met’s bats wake up. Let’s Go Mets!!