Game #5: Nationals 6, Mets 2

Mets third baseman David Wright (r.) talks to Ike Davis and Terry Collins (l.) in the dugout after jamming a finger on a slide Monday night. X-rays show the finger is broken on Tuesday. (NYDailyNews.com)

All good things must come to an end, and New York's undefeated season is no exception.

A makeshift lineup and less-than-stellar pitching combined to doom the Mets, who suffered their first loss of the 2012 season, 6-2 to the Nationals.

The Bad Stuff

• Dillon Gee was looking to get off on the right foot to start his sophomore season. Three pitches in, that chance was down the tubes. Ian Desmond led off with a home run and Washington never looked back. Gee picked up the L with 4 runs (3 earned) on 8 hits in 5.1 innings, walking 1 and striking out 6.
• The so-far rock solid Met bullpen also began to show a few leaks in the wall (where's that little Dutch boy with a finger when you need him? Oh that's right, Kirk Nieuwenhuis is all grown up). Bobby Parnell and Miguel Batista each allowed a run in their combined 3.2 innings of work to put it out of reach in favor of Davey Johnson's ballclub.
• Spectacular in the field yesterday, Daniel Murphy reminded everyone of why ordinary plays are extraordinary when he makes them. Murph had a rough go of it at second base, committing an error and ruining at least a couple double plays. He also faltered at the plate, going 0-4 and striking out twice in the 3-hole, where he was put after David Wright was scratched with a fractured pinkie finger (his timetable to return is unclear...oy vey, more injuries!).
• The rest of the New York lineup was also ineffective at the plate. Jason Bay and Lucas Duda combined to go 1-8 with 3 Ks.

The Good Stuff

• A last-minute replacement at third base, Ronny Cedeno had a good game at the plate, going 3-4 with a double and an RBI.
• The Mets' other run was driven in by Justin Turner, who got his first career start at first base.

Final Analysis:
Well, you can't win 'em all. Especially not in baseball. You knew it would happen, but it's still disappointing knowing the Mets are not, in fact, invincible. But hey, 4-1 after the first 5 games? I'll take that.

What I won't take is the news about David Wright. Before the game I just thought his finger was jammed, and now to find out it's broken? Disheartening. Terry Collins says he might be back on Friday, but knowing the Mets' medical staff, he'll probably go on the DL. I just hope I'm wrong.

MM