Game #121: Nationals 5, Mets 2

All too unfortunately, this game went just as expected.

Jeremy Hefner was roughed up and the Mets couldn't overcome the Nationals' pitching and Bryce Harper, falling in the series finale 5-2.

The Bad Stuff:

• After both teams missed opportunities in the 1st, Washington struck first when Danny Espinosa laced a 2-run homer off New York starter Jeremy Hefner. The Nats scored twice more in the 3rd on a single, triple by Bryce Harper, and another single. The final run against Hef came in the 5th when Harper nearly went upper-deck on a changeup.
• Hefner's final numbers: 5 runs on 8 hits (2 home runs) in 5 innings, no walks, 3 strikeouts.
• The Mets outhit the Nationals 11-9, including 7 off Gio Gonzalez, but hit just 1-11 with RISP and stranded two handfuls of men (that would be 10) on base.

 The Good Stuff:

• Five Mets had two hits in today's game, including: Justin Turner, David Wright, Scott Hairston, Ronny Cedeno, and Kelly Shoppach, who hit an RBI single in the 8th.
• Manny Acosta, Josh Edgin, and Bobby Parnell combined for 3 scoreless innings to keep the visitors within striking distance the whole game.

Final Analysis:
An unfortunately predictable outcome for New York, and the nearly 3-hour rain delay only put off the inevitable. Hefner wasn't as good as he needed to be and Bryce Harper continues to build his reputation as the new Met-killer.

Fortunately for the Mets, one of their toughest stretches of the year has come to an end, and the next two weeks should be a health spa compared to the last few: home series with the cellar-dwelling Rockies and Astros next week, followed by road trips to Philadelphia and Miami to face the teams actually below us in the standings. With a bit of luck and some good baseball, the Mets could very well end up at or over .500 by this time in half a month. R.A. Dickey will start tomorrow; here's hoping he gets the ball rolling in the right direction.

MM