Mets fans should be used to these types of games in 2009. If there is anything we’ve learned as fans this season it is to expect the unexpected. Francisco Rodriguez gave up 5 runs in the ninth inning on a bases loaded walk to Adam Dunn and a Grand Slam to Justin Maxwell to give the Nationals a victory in their last home game of 2009.
I’m not sure if K-Rod is a victim of not getting much work in the second half or if there is something wrong physically with him, but he seems off. He can not control his pitches right now and has me terrified every time he comes in in a close game. It is something worth watching for next season because if the Mets want to be playing in games that matter next season they are going to need him.
Lost in the Rodriguez debacle was a solid start from Tim Redding. Redding went 6 innings and gave up 1 run on 4 hits. Redding passed the ball off to Bobby Parnell, Pedro Feliciano and Sean Green who were able to bridge the gap to K-Rod.
Redding may be earning himself a fifth starter role on the team next year. At the very least he should be brought in for a competition in the spring.
The Mets offense got things started in the top half of the second inning when Fernando Tatis hit a sacrifice fly to Elijah Dukes. Omir Santos continued the rally with a base hit to give the Mets the early 2-0 lead. The Mets got their other runs on a 6th inning RBI single by Carlos Beltran and a ninth inning RBI single by Santos.
All in all it was another tough loss in a season full of them. I’m sure the entire team can’t wait until the offseason. Sunday can’t come soon enough.
The Mets start their final series of the year on Friday night against the Astros at 7:10 EST.
Editor’s Note: Drew Costello originally wrote this for Mets Fans Forever
