Despite a solid performance from starter R.A. Dickey, the Mets lost the series opener 3-2 to the Washington Nationals tonight at Citi Field.
Dickey tossed seven innings and gave up three runs (two earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out seven. At one point in the game, Dickey retired ten Nationals in a row. The knuckler recorded his 12th loss of the season, but also picks up his tenth consecutive quality start. He deserved a better fate.
All the Mets could muster in terms of offense was a measly three hits, not nearly enough to chalk up a victory.
After being named Player of the Week, Jason Bay had his streak snapped at ten games after taking the collar tonight and going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
Third baseman David Wright had another rough night in the field and committed another error, the sixth in his last seven games, and his 16th overall of the season. Collins said after the game that “Wright is just going through one of those stages”.
Collins also said that the team was not focused on the game tonight because they are getting with flooded with questions about why they didn’t wear the 9/11 hats last night.
“I just think today we lost focus on some things,” Collins said. “The attention is away from the game right now, and that’s an issue with me, because you’ve got to focus on the game. They’re all being asked questions. They’re afraid to make an answer. They’re afraid to say the wrong thing. We’ve got to start focusing on what the game is, because when it’s all said and done, in the end, that’s the only thing that matters.”
The Nationals now find themselves just two games behind the Mets who are now in danger of falling to fourth place in the NL East.
The Mets will try to get back to their winning way tomorrow night as they send Dillon Gee to the mound to oppose the Chien-Ming Wang.
