The Washington Nationals got a great performance from rookie Jordan Zimmermann and hit 2 home runs to help them defeat the New York Mets 8-2 Sunday afternoon at Citifield in Queens. The promising 1st year player had the Mets hitters baffled all day, mixing in offs-speed pitches with his 95 -mph fastball. OF Austin Kearns(420 ft shot by estimate) and ex Met farm hand Jesus Flores(3 rbi) homered for the Nats.
Oliver Perez struggled again for the Mets, putting his season era at 9.31. He was tagged for 7 runs and 9 hits over 4 and a 3rd. The controversial lefty signed a big $36 million dollar deal this offseason and his manager is more than a little worried,“I’m really concerned about him at this point. I don’t know what we do. I’m not going to come out and make a decision right now,” manager Jerry Manuel said. “I haven’t seen stuff yet. I don’t know what it is with Ollie. I’m going to sit down and talk with him and try to figure it out.”
Zimmermann was huge for Washington and gives that franchise a potential #1 starter,he allowed 6 hits while walking 2 over 5 1/3rd innings. The amazing thing is the kid had not pitched beyond Double A before 2009. David Wright’s childhood teammate, 3b Ryan Zimmerman had a hit to extend his hitting streak to 15 games.
Another problem for NY right now sees the franchise,Wright, in a major slump. He has been dropped to the 5th spot in the lineup and struck out 3 times Sunday.After striking out 118 times in 2008(career high), he has K-ed 23 times in 70 games. Asked if he needed a day off, Manager Jerry Manuel replied ”I think I need one.” Wright also made a throwing error that produced a run and started to hear boos and catcalls from the 40,000 + fans.
Star of the Game: Zimmermann, a huge bright spot for a team that is starved for pitching. Very impressive youngster who is a pitcher,not a thrower.
Game Notes: Club designated LH specialist Casey Fossum for assignment, while purchasing the contract of LHP Ken Takahashi from Triple A Buffalo… No Mets batter had multiple hits… Rookie LF Daniel Murphy botched another fly ball prior to Flores’ homer.. Less than a week after not sliding or taking out the C at home plate, CF Carlos Beltran went in standing up on an attempted steal. “It was a mistake. I know that I should slide right there,” said Beltran, tagged out easily on the play.
Next Series:
3 Gamer series vs the 1st place Florida Marlins, Citifield
Monday, 7:10
Tuesday,7:10
Wednesday,1:10
Monday’s starters:
Mets John Maine (0-2,7.47) vs Marlins Anibal Sanchez(1-1,2.50)
