The Mets (16-10) lost to the Washington Nationals (12-14) this afternoon at Citi Field by a score of 1-0.
The Nationals scored the only run of the game in the first inning. After the Mets failed to turn two double plays, Bryce Harper singled to put runners on first and second with two outs, and then Ryan Zimmerman blooped a broken bat single over the head of Lucas Duda to bring in the runner from second.
In the bottom of the first, the Mets seemed poised to answer back and tie the game, with Curtis Granderson and Juan Lagares leading off the inning with back-to-back singles. However, Lucas Duda, Michael Cuddyer and Daniel Murphy left them stranded without pushing a run across.
In the top of the fourth, Michael Cuddyer made a fantastic catch to rob Ryan Zimmerman of a home run, keeping the game at 1-0.
Dillon Gee got into trouble in the fifth inning, letting up a lead off double to Denard Span and a single to Yunel Escobar to put runners on first and third with no out. He would then buckle down and set down the next three batters in order to keep the Nats off the board.
Gee went back out to pitch the sixth, but quickly loaded the bases. Alex Torres then came into replace Gee, and struck out the side in order to end the inning.
Dillon has now pitched 51 straight games of going 5 innings or more, a franchise record. His final line has him pitching 5+ innings, allowing one run on six hits, while walking five and striking out five.
Torres would pitch the seventh and set down the Nats 1,2,3, lowering his ERA to 2.79 on the season. And may I just remark that Alex Torres has been outstanding since Jerry Blevins went down, allowing only one run in his last ten appearances. If there was one silver lining to this game, it is Alex.
Erik Goeddel (who has also been very good, having yet to allow a run this season) and Sean Gilmartin combined to pitch a scoreless eighth.
Matt Thornton came on to face the Mets in the bottom half of the eighth, and walked John Mayberry, Jr. and Juan Lagares. After a wild pitch that advanced the runners to second and third with one out, Lucas Duda and Michael Cuddyer struck out to end the frame.
Jeurys Familia came on in for the top of the ninth, and was fantastic again, making quick work of the Nats.
Drew Storen, however, retired the Mets in order in the bottom of the ninth, sealing the win for the Nationals, who have win the series, taking 3 out of 4 from the Mets.
Notes:
The Nationals have now won 17 out of the last 19 games they’ve played at Citi Field.
Also, the Mets have now lost 7 out of their last 10 games since their 11 game winning streak.
This is the first time since April 17-18, 1973 that the Mets have lost 1-0 in back-to-back games against the same opponent.
Though the Nationals won, they were only 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position. The one run that they did score was all they needed, though, as the Mets have gone 19 innings without getting on the scoreboard, dating back to Friday night.
Thoughts:
This was not a pretty series to watch. When you can only muster up eight runs against a team in four games, of course you’re going to lose. It’s a shame that the efforts of Jon Niese and Dillon Gee were wasted the last two nights as they get slapped with two tough losses. The Nationals have owned us in the past, and now was a time to really step up and bury them deep in the standings. They came in here seven games out, and now they’re only four back. Yes the Mets are still in first, but it’s not a comfortable lead like it was a week ago. They are playing the Orioles and then the Phillies next, and they need to pick it up and get back on the winning sides of things. I’m not in panic mode, but it is worrisome.
On deck:
The Mets are off tomorrow, but take the Baltimore Orioles on for a quick two-game set at home Tuesday night. Bartolo Colon (4-1, 3.31 ERA) opposed Bud Norris (1-2, 12.18 ERA). Game time is 7:10 pm
