Here are the starting lineups:
Mets:
Reyes, J. (SS), Reyes, A. (2B), Wright (3B), Delgado (1B), Beltran (CF), Murphy (LF), Tatis (RF), Schneider (C), Perez (P)
Nationals:
Bonifacio (2B), Belliard (SS), Zimmerman (3B), Milledge (CF), Kearns (RF), Boone (1B), Nieves (C), Harris (LF), Balester (P)
Notes: Jesus Flores (C) was a late scratch from the game due to an injury. Ronnie Belliard is starting just his 6th career game at SS as Cristian Guzman sits.
The Mets defeated the Nationals by a score of 12-0. John Maine got the win (10-7, 3.97) while Jason Bergmann (2-9, 4.51) got the loss. Brian Stokes pitched 4 innings scoreless relief to earn his first career save.
Fernando Tatis hit his 10th home run and Daniel Murphy his 2nd.
The Mets had an 8 run third, matching their season high.
John Maine looked good during his limited outing. 5 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 4 walks, and 6 strikeouts.
Tonight, Oliver Perez (8-7, 3.90) faces Collin Balester (2-4, 4.66).
Here are the lineups:
Mets:
Reyes, J. (SS), Reyes, A. (2B), Wright (3B), Delgado (1B), Beltran (CF), Murphy (LF), Tatis (RF), Schneider (C), Maine (P)
Nationals:
Bonifacio (2B), Guzman (SS), Zimmerman (3B), Kearns (RF), Milledge (CF), Flores (C), Belliard (1B), Harris (LF), Bergmann (P)
Let’s go Mets!
Here were last night’s lineups:
Mets:
Reyes (SS), Evans (LF), Wright (3B), Beltran (CF), Delgado (1B), Tatis (RF), Easley (2B), Castro (C), Santana (P)
Nationals:
Bonifacio (2B), Guzman (SS), Zimmerman (3B), Kearns (RF), Milledge (CF), Flores (C), Belliard (1B), Harris (LF), Perez (P)
Postgame:
Johan Santana allowed 3 runs over 7 innings to earn the win (10-7) as the Mets beat the Nationals 4-3. Saul Rivera got the loss (3-5). Joe Smith got a hold (12), and Pedro Feliciano got the save (1)
Johan Santana allowed the tying run in the 7th via a PH home run by Ryan Langerhans. However, the offense bailed him out when they loaded the bases with one out for Damion Easley. Saul Rivera grazed a pitch off his helmet to force in the leading run. There was dispute whether it hit Easley’s helmet or whether it was a wild pitch, but either way, David Wright scored the go-ahead run.
Joe Smith, after falling asleep with Austin Kearns on first (he stole second right after Gary Cohen said that he wasn’t a threat to run), completed a scoreless 8th. Pedro Feliciano pitched a 1-2-3 9th to earn the save.
Scott Schoeneweis called a bullpen meeting before the game, and the bullpen responded with 6 outs, 4 via the strikeout.
Tomorrow, John Maine (9-7, 4.13) faces Jason Bergmann (2-8, 4.13) at 7:10.
After last night’s game, John Maine was activated off the 15 day Disabled List. To make room on the roster, Carlos Muniz was optioned back to AAA New Orleans.
Luis Castillo will not return in Washington, as he has a personal situation to deal with.
According to Adam Rubin, Ramon Castro is in tonight’s starting lineup.
Billy Wagner should come off the DL Monday in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates defeated the Mets 7-5 yesterday. For the Pirates, Bautista got the win, and Heilman got the loss. Holds were awarded to Feliciano and Sanchez, and Grabow got the save.
David Wright had a 3 run homer in the first, and a double later in the game. He now has 93 RBI.
Robinson Cancel had a run-scoring single and a solo home run, his first career.
Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano turned a 5-1 lead into the tying run at third quickly. Duaner Sanchez had 1 1/3 innings scoreless relief.
Aaron Heilman blew the save, and Scott Schoeneweis was one strike away with going to the bottom of the 9th with a 5-5 tie when Scott Pearce lined a 2-run single.
Tonight, it’s Johan Santana (9-7, 2.85) vs. Odalis Perez (5-8, 4.10). The Mets play in DC at 7:10 tonight.
The Mets take on the Pirates at 1:10 this afternoon. Zach Duke (4-10, 5.13) faces Pedro Martinez (3-3, 5.79).
Here are the lineups:
Pirates:
McLouth, CF
Rivas, SS
Mientkiewicz, 1B
Doumit, C
LaRoche, An., 3B
Moss, LF
Pearce, RF
Gomez, 2B
Duke, P
Mets:
Reyes, J., SS
Evans, LF
Wright, 3B
Beltràn, CF
Delgado, 1B
Tatis, RF
Easley, 2B
Cancel, C
Martinez, P
Ryan Church should start rehab soon. As usual, there is no timetable for hisreturn, but one would hope before the next Phillies and Marlins series, as well as the Brewers series to start September. Also, call me crazy, but there is a Braves series before all of this. They still scare me. Church’s return will likely come at the expense of Cather Robinson Cancel.
There is every chance that Luis Castillo will return this week in either DC or Pittsburgh. It looks like he will share time with Damion Easley at 2nd base. My guess is it won’t be your normal platoon like we’re seeing with Murphy and Evans, but more depending on the pitcher, team, and ballpark. For example, against the tough righty, we’ll probably see Castillo for his ability to reach base as a lefty. Castillo’s return will likely come at the expense of rookie Argenis Reyes, who is showing the Nick Evans overmatched effect.
As previously mentioned, John Maine will make his return Wednesday. As a result, Carlos Muñiz is likely to catch the New Orleans express (aka the David Newhan Express). Brian Stokes clearly impressed Jerey Manuel, so he will likely remain as the long man.
Billy Wagner may return when he is elligable in a week. He will play a rehab game beforehand. He will likely replace either Kunz or Stokes in the pen. It depends ok whether Manuel needs a righty hardthrower or a long man.
Josh Johnson (3-0) and the Florida Marlins defeated Mike Pelfrey (10-8) and the Mets by a score of 8-2. The Mets finish with a series win, but give up ground as the Phillies won 6-3 against the Pirates.
Mike Pelfrey was once again lit up by the Marlins. He is 0-3 against them this year, and 10-5 against everyone else. He looked okay at the start, but couldn’t negotiate the 5th inning.
José Reyes was 2-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored.
Daniel Murphy was 1-3 with a walk and a double.
Endy Chavez was 1-3 with a triple and a run scored
Scott Schoeneweis and Joe Smith pitched scoreless innings while Carlos Muñiz had less luck. Eddie Kunz got the final out of the 5th.
Tomorrow, the Meta face the Pirates at 1:10 PM at home in a make-up-game. Zach Duke (4-10, 5.13) faces Pedro Martinez (3-3, 5.79).
