Matt Harvey had a dominant but short outing and the Mets offense apparently didn’t show up to the park in their 2-0 loss to the Nationals
Matt Harvey had his good stuff tonight, but based on his high strikeout total, had himself out by the fifth inning. Harvey went five, allowing five hits and one run while walking five and striking out 10. Harvey had the Nationals hitters consistently confused, and didnt truly become unraveled until the fifth. The sad state of affairs means even allowing one run, Harvey wasn’t eligible for the win and took the loss.
The bullpen had some heavy lifting today, with Robert Carson pitching a clean sixth. Bobby Parnell pitched one-third of an inning, giving up a hit and walking two. Justin Hampson came out and finished off the other two-thirds. Jon Rauch gave up a solo home runj in the eighth, but struck out one. Frank Francisco pitched the ninth and was clean in his inning.
The pitching can’t be asked to do much more. This burden is falling on one side of the team at the moment, and its a shame.
Offensively – the Mets didn’t muster much. David Wright went 2 for 4, with two stolen bases. Mets hitters only struck out three times, but only walked once. When the offense cannot make consistent enough contact, it will always be a downhill battle for futility.
Game Notes
Daniel Murphy pinch-hit in the ninth inning and was the final out. While not expected to be a savior, solid contact outside of pull-shots to the right side of the infield would be great.
Jason Bay. 0 for 2. 2013 release candidate? Why yes, that seems appropriate.
Kelly Shoppach – 1 for 3, two strikeouts. Still miles ahead of Josh Thole in terms of being an offensive threat.
On Deck
The Mets have off Thursday, but travel to Miluawakee Friday to face off against the Brewers. Game time is 8:10 P.M. and will see Jonathon Niese face off against Mike Fiers.
