Gary Sheffield’s controversial 3 run homer in the 6th helped the New York Mets defeat the struggling Washington Nationals, 5-2 Monday Night at Citifield. RH John Maine(4-3) pitched 6 strong for the win while allowing 4 hits. He walked 3 and struck out 4. 2b Luis Castillo, CF Carlos Beltran and Sheffield all had 2 hits apiece while 3b David Wright walked 3 times.
Sheff’s drive into left off of Nationals starter John Lannan (2-4,4.11)was crushed but appeared to just make it over the orange homer line in the gap as fan reached out to catch it. Nationals Manager and ex Mets 3b base coach Manny Acta argued and the umpires reviewed the footage for 6 minutes. The original homer call was upheld and the Mets led 4-1/. Sheffield had some nervous moments though, “I went down to see it on TV, but they were showing both managers,” he said. “They didn’t show the replay, so, you know, I got kind of scared.”
The injury riddled Mets, who are without 6 regular starters, battled and got rbis from the expected-Beltran(3rd inning single) and unexpected- fill in SS Ramon Martinez (Key,quality at bat in 6th produced a sacrifice fly to make it 5-1). NY pitchers made this game tougher than it should have been with walks and spurts of wildness. Bobby Parnell(8 holds, 2.29 era), in a rare bad outing, walked 3 batters in his third of an inning, including one with the bases loaded. Star relievers J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriquez, who have both battled recent injuries, closed out the victory in the 8th and 9th.
Star of the Game: Sheffield– Think of where this team would be without this guy? His signing was mocked and he is now hitting between Beltran and Wright!!!! Since Moving to the clean-up spot May 13, the 40 year old is hitting .395 with 9 rbi. He has added two doubles and 3 homers while raising his average from .178 to .277!!!
Injury Updates: Jose Reyes continues to be out with tendinitis in his calf and could be placed on the DL Friday if he does not improve. Beltran continues to have pain in his right knee and will have an MRI Tuesday. RF Ryan Church’s MRI on his hamstring came back clean and he should be able to play by mid week.
Game Notes: NY has now homered in 4 straight games after going 7 consecutive without…. Sheffield trails ex Met Eddie Murray by 1 homer for 24th on the all time list…1b Fernando Tatis broke out of a 0 for 13 slump with a 4th inning single
The Ever changing Mets lineup:
1- RF Angel Pagan
2- 2b Luis Castillo
3- CF Carlos Beltran
4-LF Gary Sheffield
5-3b David Wright
6-1B Fernando Tatis
7- C Omir Santos
8-SS Ramon Martinez
9- Pitcher
Next Game:
Game 2 of 3 game series vs the Nationals at Citifield
7:10 pm
Mets RH Livian Hernandez(3-1,4.93) vs Nationals RH Craig Stammen(0-0,5.68, 2nd ML appearance)
