Nats get later innings boost to top Mets 7 to 3

The Nats took advantage of a shaky outing from the Mets bullpen Sunday to win both the game and the series.

Mets starting pitcher Chris Young turned in 7 outstanding innings of play having held the Nats to 1 hit, 2 walks and a single run over 7 innings of play. When Young left the game the Mets were up by a score of 3 to 1 but failed to hold the lead for him.

Things began to change in the 8th when Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez sparked a small rally when he hit a double off D.J. Carrasco (pitching change for Young) to start the inning. The double from Pudge was then followed by a walk from Hairston, an rbi single from leadoff hitter Ian Desmond and a ground out from Rick Ankiel that sent Hairston home for the tying run.

The game remained tied at 3 a piece until the top of the 11th when the Nats rallied to add another 4 more runs to the scoreboard. With 1 out and 2 men on and Blaine Boyer pitching  Ivan Rodriguez hit a single to shallow right field that sent Ramos home for the go ahead run.  The very next batter up Laynce Nix hit a 3 run shot off  Boyer to put the Nats up by 4 for good.

For the Nationals starting pitcher Jason Marquis turned in a pretty solid performance going 6 innings while allowing 3 runs on 7 hits and striking out 9. It was definitely an encouraging sign to see him performing at the level he did after having been hampered last season by an elbow injury. Of his outing Marquis said “I feel great. I prepare myself year after year to go nine innings every game. Obviously, that’s the goal,”. Marquis then said  “Early last year was an aberration. I had the surgery for a reason. I try to take care of myself. You learn a lot more about yourself as times goes on. I feel good physically with where I’m at.”

up next for the Nats- series with the Phillies starting Tuesday