Jonathon Niese went five and one-third innings, and Bobby Parnell ruined a comeback attempt in their 3-2 loss against the Nationals

Game Notes

Jonathon Niese looked very good for five innings, and then came unraveled in the sixth, allowing three straight doubles. Jonathon’s final line was five and one-third innings, allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out six. Niese looked good, but seemed to lose his location and that summoned his early exit. Niese was pulled only after 78 pitches, but sometimes the pitch count doesn’t matter.

Ryota Igarashi came out to clean up Niese’s mess, and struck out both batters he faced in his two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Beato went an inning and two-thirds, allowed one hit while walking one and striking out one. Beato has not had as good control as he did earlier in the season, so hopefully its just fatigue and not an injury. Byrdak came out to do his LOOGY duty and struck out ex-Met Alex Cora in his one-third of an inning of work. Bobby Parnell came out for the ninth, and gave up a hit, then hit Rick Ankiel, then threw a wild pitch and Rick Ankiel scored on a chopper right passed the pitcher.

The Mets offense was victimized by a bad baserunning play by Daniel Murphy in the third and an inability to get hits with RISP. Scott Hairston hit a solo HR that was scorched into the LF bleachers, which was his third pinch-hit HR of the season. The Mets spent too much time at the plate watching called third strikes. With Scott Hairston up, two outs in the bottom of the ninth, he sent another blast to LF to tie it up.

Willie Harris – 1 for 4 with two K’s (both looking)

Pagan & Bay – 1 for 8 with four strikeouts. Never good when your 5 & 6 hitters do this.

Daniel Murphy – 2 for 4. Bad baserunning play really stands out.

Josh Thole – 0 for 3 with a strikeout. Also fouled two balls of of his shin in two separate AB’s.

Turning Point

When Jonathon Niese fell apart in the sixth inning.

Game Ball

Scott Hairston – 2 for 2 with two HR, both solo shots in key situations

On Deck

The Mets will be returning home to face the Marlins on Monday. Mike Pelfrey will oppose Javier Vasquez, and game time is 7:10 P.M.