The New York Mets come limping into swampy Nationals Park for a three-game set. The Mets are fresh off a three-game sweep by Pittsburgh (!) and have lost four straight on the road.
To make matters worse, SS Jose Reyes was found to have a tear in his hamstring to go along with the strained calf muscle he was already on the disabled list for. Then, word this afternoon that their set-up man, J.J. Putz, will need elbow surgery to remove bone spurs that have been causing him discomfort. He's miss and estimated 8-10 weeks.
I know, cry me a river, right?
NEW YORK METS (29-24, 2nd in NL East--4 games back; three-game losing streak):
Cora - SS
Castillo - 2B
Beltran - CF
Wright - 3B
Murphy - 1B
Tatis - LF
Martinez - RF
Schneider - C
Redding - P
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (14-38-1, 5th in NL East--18 games back; two game losing streak):
Guzman - SS
Johnson - 1B
Zimmerman - 3B
Dunn - LF
Dukes - CF
Kearns - RF
Bard - C
Hernandez – 2B
Martis - P
STARTING PITCHERS
WAS: Shairon Martis (57.2 IP, 5-1, 5.62 ERA, 26 Ks, 23 BBs)
NYM: Tim Redding (14.2 IP, 0-2, 9.20 ERA, 10 Ks, 10 BBs)
WEATHER
Cool and clammy, with a chance of a passing shower. First pitch: 61F. Last out: 58F. Glad I brought the sweatshirt!
To make matters worse, SS Jose Reyes was found to have a tear in his hamstring to go along with the strained calf muscle he was already on the disabled list for. Then, word this afternoon that their set-up man, J.J. Putz, will need elbow surgery to remove bone spurs that have been causing him discomfort. He's miss and estimated 8-10 weeks.
I know, cry me a river, right?
NEW YORK METS (29-24, 2nd in NL East--4 games back; three-game losing streak):
Cora - SS
Castillo - 2B
Beltran - CF
Wright - 3B
Murphy - 1B
Tatis - LF
Martinez - RF
Schneider - C
Redding - P
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (14-38-1, 5th in NL East--18 games back; two game losing streak):
Guzman - SS
Johnson - 1B
Zimmerman - 3B
Dunn - LF
Dukes - CF
Kearns - RF
Bard - C
Hernandez – 2B
Martis - P
STARTING PITCHERS
WAS: Shairon Martis (57.2 IP, 5-1, 5.62 ERA, 26 Ks, 23 BBs)
NYM: Tim Redding (14.2 IP, 0-2, 9.20 ERA, 10 Ks, 10 BBs)
WEATHER
Cool and clammy, with a chance of a passing shower. First pitch: 61F. Last out: 58F. Glad I brought the sweatshirt!
Top of the 10th inning. 0-2 count on a good hitter Luis Castillo (0 for 4 in the game at that point) who as good hitters do guessed that Hanrahan would be predictable and throw the slider and Castillo slapped it to right field.
Then you have to face Beltran and David Wright. Lights out, game over.
Mariano Rivera is predictable. He has a killer cutter that nobody can hit.
Joel needed to bury the slider or throw another fastball higher in the zone at Castillo. Then you face Beltran with bases empty. Castillo is more of a slap hitter and that low slider he handled well.
The real issue again in this game is HORRIFIC calls from the umps and the lack of offense.