Mets 7, Nationals 1

Well, Billy Wagner again didn't pitch very well. And, uh...hmmm. You know, writing about the Mets absent numerous legitimate reasons to complain is a bit of an adjustment. I'm not sure I've quite got the hang of it. If they were so good that Willie Randolph could make several terrible decisions within a game and still win, I think I'd be okay. But the team's current level of competence is going to require me to work on a new approach.

For now, I'll tell you that the Mets' offense again smacked around the sort of pitching that good teams smack around. Jose Reyes had another good game with two hits including his second triple of the year. Paul Lo Duca had three hits, one of which was a double. David Wright drove in the first run of the game with a double of his own. And Carlos Beltran had his best game of the season with a walk, a single and a monstrous home run, his second.

Brian Bannister got the start and was effective again, this time lasting seven innings and allowing just one run. He only struck out one batter, which makes you wonder how long he can keep this up, but he didn't walk any and allowed just three hits. An Alfonso Soriano home run accounted for the only Washington run.

Aaron Heilman pitched a perfect eighth, striking out one. Wagner didn't fare so well in the ninth, walking three batters and striking out just one. But he got out of it without allowing a run. One could ask what Wagner was even doing in this game with a six-run lead, but given the time he missed in Spring Training, maybe he did need to get some work in despite having pitched on Sunday.

Speaking of pitchers who need some work, the Mets will send Pedro Martinez (1-0, 6.00) to the mound tomorrow night. Tony Armas (0-1, 3.60) will try to tame the hot Met bats. And maybe Randolph will let Jorge Julio pitch to the heart of the Nationals' lineup in a tight game! That would certainly be unwise. I sure would have some things to say about it were that to happen. Seriously, let's go Mets.  ¶ joe | 10:24 PM |