The Mets were able to get by the Nats 10-8 last night, and strangely the Phillies lost to the Marlins by the same score.  So the Mets stretched their lead over the Phillies by two and a half-three in the loss column.  The Phillies were down early and came back to make it interesting, but in the end just couldn’t get it done.  Unlike the Mets who seemed to be determined last night. 

 

I don’t know if the Mets were scoreboard watching or what happened but they played like crazy last night.  The Carloses hit back to back homeruns to give the Mets the lead in the inning.  For Carlos Delgado that was his second homer of the night.  He is in a zone that I pray lasts until the end of September.  He hit two shots that were just unbelievable.  It isn’t just Delgado who has been in a zone, Carol Beltran is hitting .348 with six homers and 17 RBIs in his last 14 games, he also joined Wright and Delgado in 100 RBI club.  I thought it was a good sign last night that both David Wright and Jose Reyes did a much better job with the bat.  Wright actually had a two out RBI.  In addition, Ryan Church hit in the two spot last night, he had two RBI, one of the solo homerun. 

 

Oliver Perez stunk up the joint, for the most part the pitching for both teams was terrible.  Lucky for the Mets the Nationals pitched worse.  Perez, who has really been good for the Mets just didn’t have it last night.  He only worked three and a third innings; allowing seven runs on eight hits while walking three and striking out two.  It was uncharacteristic of the Perez we have seen recently.  Nelson Figueroa and Brandon Knight were awful, but kudos to Joe Smith, Brian Stokes, Scott Schoeneweis and Luis Ayala who combined to pitch four shut out innings.   

 

For as much as I have ragged on Billy Wagner in the blog this season, I actually felt bad for him last night when they showed clips of his press conference from earlier in the day.  He really broke down when asked what his son thought of what was happening.  I guess you can understand how it feels.  It isn’t a life threatening illness, but it is your livelihood, and while I’m sure he has plenty of money, but it is always better to leave your terms.  Who knows if he’ll ever pitch again. 

 

The Mets and the Nationals will meet again tonight at 7:10 p.m.  Mike Pelfrey will be on the hill for the Mets and the Nats will counter with Odalis Perez.