Moments That Mattered: RIP Momentum

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Ah, the highs and lows of the Nationals’ season.

Last night, the mood was joyous. The Nats had their first walkoff of the year! Werth was back from the DL, and Danny Espinosa, Henry Rodriguez, and Zach Duke were taken of the roster! Everything seemed to be looking up.

Tonight, however, everything was the exact opposite. Strasburg went on the DL. The Nationals got demolished by a mediocre Mets team. They slipped below .500 again. They’re eight back of the Braves and are now behind the Phillies in the standings. Gosh, what a terrible night.

If the Nats win tomorrow, there might be a parade, and the franchise might disband if they lose.

Speaking of highs and lows, tonight’s game was all lows.

Jun 2, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) is greeted at the dugout by manager Davey Johnson (5) after hitting a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Most Important Nationals Hit: Ian Desmond‘s RBI single (+10.0%)

This game actually got off to a pretty good start. Denard Span doubled to open the bottom of the first, and two outs and a walk later, Desmond singled to score him and give the Nats a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, this would be the last run the Nats would score, despite getting ten hits. They stranded eleven baserunners, including six in scoring position.

Most Important Nationals Pitch: David Wright‘s two-run homer (-17.6%)

After a Marlon Byrd homer in the second gave the Mets a 2-1 lead, the offensive onslaught against Dan Haren was on. Daniel Murphy singled with one out in the third and Wright’s drive to left center just barely got out to put the Mets up 4-1. Even after this, it was far from over. Byrd homered again in the frame, and Haren has now allowed the most homers in baseball at 15.

Champ of the Game: Desmond (+7.5%) garners this honor thanks to his RBI single, but he was just 1-4 overall with a strikeout. For the Mets, Byrd (+21.5%) was killer, going 2-4 with two home runs, a walk, three runs scored, and three RBI.

Chump of the Game: Haren (-32.8%) got lit up for the second time in four starts, allowing four runs in four innings off seven hits, striking out  only two. His season ERA is now 5.45. Omar Quintanilla (-4.7%) was 1-5 with two strikeouts.