Mets Beat Up On Nationals

Jun 5, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Denard Span (2) is congratulated by Anthony Rendon (6) after scoring a run during the first inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Momentum from last night’s come from behind ninth inning win against the Mets didn’t carry over to the Nationals for the second game of the series as Dan Haren was roughed up and the Nats could not score runs despite ten hits, and the Mets won the game by the score of 10-1.

Dan Haren had a less than stellar pitching performance. His pitches were flat and up in the strike zone, and the result was that Haren gave up five runs in four innings. He allowed three home runs, two to Marlon Byrd and one to David Wright. Haren was not the only Nationals pitcher to underperform. Craig Stammen pitched the fifth inning and gave up two runs. Erik Davis pitched the seventh and gave up three more.

The bright spots for the Nationals pitching were Ian Krol and Fernando Abad. Krol, making his major league debut, threw the sixth inning. As can be expected for a pitcher making his first appearance in the Show, the adrenaline may have been flowing a little hard. Krol struck out three, gave up a double and allowed the runner to advance to third on a wild pitch, but allowed no runs. He was a little wild, but got the outs when he needed them. Abad pitched the eighth and ninth, allowing no runs and striking out two.

The Nationals did not solve Dillon Gee (again). Gee pitched seven innings and gave up one run on nine hits. Gee also had a sacrifice bunt and a single, so he had a good night all around

The Nationals jumped out to an early lead in this game in the first inning. Ian Desmond hit an RBI single to score Denard Span.

The Nationals lead didn’t last past the bottom of the first. Haren gave up a two run homer to Byrd in the second inning and the Mets were off to the races. Wright hit a two run homer and Byrd hit his second homer in the third inning. At the end of three innings the Nats were behind 5-1.

The Nationals had a golden opportunity to push some runs across in the fourth. After Steve Lombardozzi flew out, Kurt Suzuki singled and pinch hitter Roger Bernadina doubled. The Nats had two in scoring position with one out and the top of the order coming up. Span struck out swinging and Jayson Werth struck out looking.

The Nationals had ten hits but could not string them together to score runs. The Nats were two for thirteen with runners in scoring position. The Mets had fifteen hits, but took advantage of their opportunities when they got runners on base.

Next Game: The Nationals and Mets play the third game of the series on Thursday, June 6th at 7:05 p.m. EST at Nationals Park. Gio Gonzalez (3-3, 3.64 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against Shaun Marcum (0-6, 5.71 ERA).