The New York Mets closed out their two game series against the Washington Nations with a 10-5 loss on Thursday night, going 3-4 on the road trip.  The Mets looked like they had rebounded from a three game losing streaking after winning the first game of the series, but starter Oliver Perez struggled and did not make it out of the fifth.  Perez pitched 5.2 innings, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits while recording 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. Aaron Heilman came in and gave up a walk, a grand slam, and two singles before striking out Austin Kearns to end the inning.  Jorge Sosa did not fair much better giving up 3 runs; however because of an error by Jose Reyes, his third on the season, only one of those runs was earned. 

Luis Castillo, Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church, Marlon Anderson, Oliver Perez each had one RBI. Anderson’s and Beltran’s RBI coming off homeruns.  The Mets had a total of 11 hits, leaving 9 guys on base.  The heart of the order was a combined 3 for 17, with both Wright and Delgado going 0-4.  Delgado’s batting average has dropped to .198. 

The Mets started to rally in the ninth when Marlon Anderson hit a pinch hit home run and Jose Reyes and Luis Castillo reached on singles but, John Rauch settled in and retired the next three hitters in order to end the game.  

For a second straight night, Carlos Delgado hit sixth in the order behind Ryan Church who occupied the fifth spot.  Church is swinging a hot bat right now hitting .354; this is a good sign as there was some concern about his offensive output coming into the season.   The Mets were without catcher Brian Schneider who is in a New York hospital to treat an infection in his left thumb.  Brady Clark was designated for assignment.  The Mets purchased the contract of catcher Gustavo Molina from Triple-A New Orleans.  

The Mets could be in for a long series against the Braves if they continue to play the way they did on this road trip. 

 Mets Blog