Staff ace Johan Santana showed why he is the man Friday night, helping the New York Mets end a 4 game losing steak, defeating the struggling Washington Nationals, 4-3 Friday night at Citifield in Queens. Santana struck out 10 over his 6 innings, allowing 6 hits and one run while walking one National. The potential CY Young award winner entered the game with a 21 inning scoreless streak in home games and allowed only a solo homer to Nats 1b Nick Johnson in the 6th. That homer was the first he has allowed in 7 starts and ended his personal 26 inning scoreless streak in Mets home games.
As amazing as this stat sounds, Friday’s game marked the 1st time all year the Mets have faced a left handed starting pitcher(Nationals Scott Olsen). Mets skipper Jerry Manuel inserted Gary Sheffield(RF,batting 6th) and Fernando Tatis(LF,7th) into the lineup, Tatis and 2b Luis Castillo paced the Mets attack with 2 hits. CF Carlos Beltran continued his hot hitting ways with a triple and rbi, while Castillo, 1b Carlos Delgado and OF Daniel Murphy added run producing hits.
This game again showed the Mets season theme — they cannot hit with runners on base or in scoring position. The team was 2 for 18 with runners in scoring position and left an incredible 13 runners stranded. A two run homer by ex Met farm hand Jesus Flores off of closer Francisco Rodriquez made it 4-3 in the 9th by K Rod recovered to seal the win and make the Nationals 3 and 12 on the season.
Star of the Game: Santana– He is the best, plain and simple. 3-1 with a 0.70 era this season.
Game Notes:
Mets starters not named Santana are 3-5 with a 7.32 era…Big day for the Mets Saturday and #2 starter Mike Pelfrey returns from his forearm injury to make his start…Team is hitting .288 but only .168 in Johan’s starts…Murphy’s rbi came in a pinch hitting appearance…Sheffield was presented a crystal sculpture pregame by his former club, the Detroit Tigers
Next Game:
Saturday,Game 2 of 3 game series vs the Washington Nationals
1:10 pm
Mets Mike Pelfrey(1-0,8.10) vs Nationals Daniel Cabrera(0-1,4.50)
