The New York Mets pounded out a season high 15 hits to beat the Washington Nationals by the score of 10-1 tonight at Nationals Park. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Mets who last won against the Yankees in the Subway Series oh so long ago.
Marlon Byrd walloped two home runs, his seventh and eight longballs off the season. David Wright added another homer to give him eight for the year. Incidentally, Byrd now has 28 RBI in just 141 at-bats this season. Pretty remarkable when you consider Wright has only four more ribbies, but in 62 more at-bats.
Backup catcher Anthony Recker had a big night going 2-for-3 including a bases-loaded, two-run single in the fifth with two outs. I wouldn’t mind seeing what the 29-year old Recker could do with some more playing time.
Juan Lagares finally got a start and it came against a righthanded pitcher. He debunked Terry Collins‘ theory that he’s a platoon player by responding with three hits on the night. According to my research this would mean a three week benching by Collins beginning tomorrow.
Every player in the starting lineup had at least one hit and the Mets were 6-for-17 with runners in scoring position.
On to the pitching…
Dillon Gee made a strong case to stay in the rotation and delivered his second straight solid start for the Mets allowing just one run and scattering nine hits while striking out seven. Don’t be alarmed by the hits as Gee did what I wish all Mets pitchers would do with a lead and that is pound the zone and don’t worry about the hitter making contact. The young righthander improved his record to 4-6 with a 5.20 ERA. It’s the first time this season he’s won back-to-back starts.
Greg Burke and Robert Carson both pitched a scoreless inning each out of the bullpen.
A dominating and very satisfying victory for the Metsies and a happy recap to go with it. 🙂
Shaun Marcum (0-6, 5.71 ERA) will oppose Gio Gonzalez (3-3, 3.64 ERA) in Thursday’s 7:05 PM rubber match. Come on Mets! You can do this!
