Mets 3 – Nationals 0 May 18, 2011

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 21: (R-L) Jose Reyes #7 o...
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The Mets won their first shutout of the season in dreadful playing conditions. The rain was falling throughout the game and had to be some of the worst playing conditions I can remember seeing. There were literally puddles on the infield. There’s no way they should have been playing that game.

Jon Niese had an excellent start going 7 innings only allowing 6 hits and a walk. He looked tremendous even in the bad weather with his control working really well for him. It was a great performance and lowered his ERA to 4.39.

The top of the Mets batting order was working too. Jose Reyes had 3 hits and raised his average to .322. But once again Justin Turner had the timely big hit with a 2-run double in the sixth inning. He’s hitting .333 and seems to have a knack for getting hits and the right time.

The Mets and Nats wrap up the short series tomorrow afternoon.

Box score

Preview: Nationals at Mets May 18, 2011

Washington Nationals (20-21) at New York Mets (19-22) 7:10pm

Tom Gorzelanny (2-2 3.40) vs. Jon Niese (2-4 5.03)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Nationals come to town for a two game series near .500 on the season. Gorzelanny had been pitching really well until his last start against the Marlins. He only went 4.2 innings and gave up 4 runs including 3 home runs.

Niese got pushed back after last night’s rain out. His last start wasn’t great but he got 3 home runs of support from Carlos Beltran in Colorado and got a win. He gave up 5 runs in 6.1 innings. But it’s tough to judge a curve ball pitcher on a start in Colorado.

Nationals 4 – Mets 3 April 28, 2011

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 24:  RY 24:  RY ...
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The Mets six game winning streak finally came to an end tonight in a close game in DC. The Mets offense was inexplicably stymied by Livan Hernandez for 8 innings. He only allowed 7 hits and 2 earned runs. The Mets made a nice comeback attempt against Drew Storen in the ninth but it wasn’t enough.

Chris Capuano had a very shaky start and isn’t showing that he can consistently give a solid starting effort. He allowed 10 hits and 4 runs over 5.2 innings. Pedro Beato had another fantastic effort going 2 scoreless innings and still hasn’t allowed a run this season.

The Mets head to Philly for a three game series starting tomorrow night.

Box score

Preview: Mets at Nationals April 28, 2011

New York Mets (11-13) at Washington Nationals (10-13)  7:05pm

Chris Capuano (2-1 5.95) vs. Livan Hernandez (2-2 3.48)

TV: SNY Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets are going for the sweep tonight in DC. Capuano’s last start against the Astros was fantastic. He went 7.1 innings and only http://www.mindanews.com/buy-accutane/ allowed 1 run.

On the other side, Hernandez got hit hard in his last start against the Pirates. He gave up 4 earned runs in 6 innings. Frankly, I’m surprised that Hernandez is still in the league.

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Mets 6 – Nationals 3 April 27, 2011

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 24:  RY 24:  RY ...
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The Mets won the series with tonight’s exciting late inning finish. R.A. Dickey was really solid going 6.2 innings and allowing only 2 runs. He gave up 8 hits and 1 walk so he was working around trouble frequently. But it was a good sign that he kept the walks to a minimum tonight.

The excitement started in the eighth inning when Daniel Murphy hit a pinch hit solo shot to tie the game at 2-2. Then the Mets had some sloppy fielding by Murphy, who stayed in the game at second base, and by Josh Thole allowing a passed ball. Those two miscues allowed the Nats to score a run on Wilson Ramos’ sac fly.

In the ninth, the Mets scored 4 runs highlighted by Murphy’s 2-run double. It was an exciting finish and showed that the Mets won’t roll over late in the game when they’re down.

Box score

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Preview: Mets at Nationals April 27, 2011

New York Mets (10-13) at Washington Nationals (10-12)  7:05pm

R.A. Dickey (1-3 4.10) vs. Tom Gorzelanny (0-2 4.96)

TV: SNY Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets go for their sixth straight win tonight and the series win in DC. But the Mets have lost the last three games that Dickey started including to the Nats on April 8. In that game Dickey went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs.

Gorzelanny lost to the Mets on April 9 when he allowed 5 earned runs over 5.1 innings. His last two starts against the Brewers and Cardinals have been pretty good though. He’s allowed 4 runs over 11 innings in those two starts.

Mets 6 – Nationals 4 April 26, 2011

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 05: Pitching coach Da...
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The Mets won their fifth game in a row on their first game of a road trip to DC. Chris Young came back from the disabled list to somewhat of a shaky start. He only got through 4.2 innings allowing 3 solo home runs including two of those to Wilson Ramos. Young only allowed 4 hits and 2 walks but started getting pretty wild in the fifth inning. It was definitely time for him to get pulled.

The Mets offense was particularly impressive in scoring their 6 runs in four different innings. They had 12 hits and 1 walk in the game and kept stringing hits together. There was a big surprise in the second inning when Young laid down a safety squeeze scoring Ike Davis. I was so surprised that I thought it might have been a busted play with Davis making an unplanned dash for home.

Davis had 3 more hits in the game including a double to raise his average to .338 and Josh Thole put up 3 RBI’s in the game to lead the offense.

The streaking Mets go for the series win tomorrow night in DC.

Box score