Mets, behind Santana, beat Nats 7-2
Thursday: The Nationals return home to host the Mets live from Nationals Park at 7:00pm on MASN (in HD). Coverage begins at 6:30pm with Nats XTRA Pregame. [Find MASN HD]
Live Game Blog: MASNsports.com brings you Maximum Access to the Nats with Pete McElroy's Game Blog - Live from Nationals Park. [link]
The Nationals had their chances against Johan Santana early in the game, but could only manage two runs. Tim Redding's 2-run double in the 4th accounted for the Nats offense.
After Redding's at-bat, Santana retired 9 out of the next 10 batters he faced and the only base runner after that came via a walk and he was erased on a double play.
Post Game Notes & Quotes
Manny Acta on Redding in the 5th
"He had very poor command of his fastball and that hurt him because we had our chance to stay close and stay ahead in the game and he ended up walking the 8th hitter and pitcher, while he was bunting, and that really cost him."
Redding on 5th
"I absolutely forgot how to throw strikes for two batters, especially the eight hole and pitcher. You should just be able to close your eyes and throw strikes at this stage in the game. It's why 27 outs are important. Tough game to swallow and I'll take the blame for that."
King on his outing
"When it boiled down to it, I didn't get the job done. Tonight was two squiblers that cost us the ball game and I'll take credit for that and I won't make excuses and tonight I didn't do my job."
Pete McElroy's Nats GameBlog
Takin' an O-fer
The Nats 3-6 hitters went a combined 0-15 with 4 strikeouts tonight. Not good at all. These guys are supposed to be the run producers.
In-game Update
The Mets got to Tim Redding in the 5th and KO'ed him in the 6th. They didn't hit him all that hard, but enough to chase him from the game. After a lead-off single to Carlos Beltran in the 6th, Manny Acta came and got Redding. Ray King relieved him and got Ryan Church to squib a ball towards third. Ryan Zimmerman came up firing and threw wide of first, allowing Beltran to score and give NY the 3-2 lead. They added 2 more off King and now lead 5-2.
Cordero Update
Chad Cordero was given good news today by Dr. James Andrews. A thorough exam revealed rotator cuff tendinitis and weakness in the shoulder, but he doesn't need surgery or have to go on the disabled list. Instead, he'll continue to pitch and strengthen the shoulder through various exercises.
Starting Pitchers Tonight
Tim Redding: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K. 97 pitches, 54 strikes.
Johan Santana: 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 K. 97 pitches, 64 strikes
Hit 'em where they ain't
The Mets scored their last 4 runs on two walks, three infield singles and a throwing error. After back-to-back walks in the 5th to Brian Schneider and Johan Santana and a fielders chioce to Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo hit a ball up the middle that he just beat out, allowing Schneider to tie the score 2-2.
In the 6th, Carlos Beltran led off with a single. Ryan Church hit a ball off the end of his bat toward third. Ryan Zimmerman came up throwing and was off the mark at first. The play was ruled a hit and error. The ball went up the line in right and Beltran came all the way around to score and Church ended up on third. After a pop out, Angel Pagan hit one off the end of his bat towards first and Ray King couldn't get the speedster. Church scored to make it 4-2. Pagan then stole second and third and scored on a 1-6-3 putout. Nothing hit well, but well placed.
Run like the Wind
The Mets have stolen 3 bases tonight, one off Redding and two off King. Both SB's off King, came on back-to-back pitches, by Angel Pagan. National catchers are now 0-14 on the season trying to throw out base runners.
Who Says Pitchers Can't hit
Both Johan Santana and Tim Redding are doing everything they can to earn a W. So far, both have swung a big stick. In the 3rd, Santana, a career .250 hitter, doubled to deep center over Lastings Milledge's head. Redding, hit a 2-out double, in the 4th, that one-hopped of the wall in left-center to score two. Let's hope the Nats offense picks up where Redding left off.
Delgado Shift
Every time Carlos Delgado come to the plate, the Nationals moved shortstop Cristian Guzman to the second base side of the bag, Both times Delgado has been up, he's grounded out to Guzman in that same spot.
Our Fans Are Louder Than Your Fans
I always knew that NY fans traveled well. It's quite annoying when you hear their fans at your stadium and they are louder than the home team fans. Well tonight is no different. When Carlos Beltran doubled in the second, it was a loud round of cheers. When he eventually scored it was even louder. The loudest so far, was when Johan Santana doubled to center, over Lastings Milledge's head. I can only imagine how loud it would've been had the Mets driven him home.
1st inning notes
Redding retired the side in the first and Santana, who gave up a single to Cristian Guzman, needed only 9 pitches to get out of the bottom half of the inning.
John Feinstein
I just spoke to brilliant author John Feinstein, who is taking in his first Nationals game at the new ballpark, and we spoke about his latest book "Living on the Black: Two Pitchers, Two teams, One Season to Remember."
He followed Yankee Mike Mussina and former Met, now Brave, Tom Glavine last season and found out what life is like as these two pitchers enter the twilight of their careers. I asked him about the book, the inspiration behind it and his next projects.
Cheers!
The Nationals just unveiled a Jackie Robinson plaque on the left field wall. The ceremony drew a loud ovation.
Nats Xtra Pregame
Tonight on Nats Xtra Pregame at 6:30p:
Debbi Taylor talks with Ray King, Washington Times beat writer Mark Zuckerman has an update on Chad Cordero and Ray Knight breaks down Cristian Guzman at the plate
Game Preview: Mets (10-9) vs. Nationals (6-15)
Riding the arm of John Lannan's shutout of the Braves last night, the Nationals come home for an 11-game homestand that begins with the NY Mets tonight. Tim Redding gets the call and looks to keep the momentum provided by Lannan's strong outing on Tuesday night.
After the win, Manny Acta named Felipe Lopez his starting second baseman and lead-off hitter. Lopez is batting .275 with 2 RBI's, 3 steals and 7 runs scored coming into tonight. Ronnie Belliard, hitting just .214 with a HR and 6 RBI will be on the bench.
Manny Acta spoke to the media prior to tonight's game on a myriad of subjests. Here are a few of the topics covered.
On Paul LoDuca's injury - "He's fine, he's not able to catch every day yet. We have to be careful with him. He's going to start handling the bat today and do some drills. He's improving. He's a big part of our offense and he had a slow start and we'll see how he's able to bounce back."
On Wil Nieves - "He's a tremendous catch and throw guy and he did a great job with John Lannan on those last two starts. He's got a lot of energy and he's a good receiver and blocker. When you can get him to go the other way (hit to right field) and put the bat on the ball and roll the line-up over, that really helps."
Here's to you Mr. Robinson
Tonight the Nationals will honor Jackie Robinson by recognizing Robinson's contributions to the game. There will be a video and pre-game ceremony and Ray King, Willie Harris and Lastings Milledge will don Robinson's No. 42.
Felipe Lopez
Felipe Lopez, who will be the starting second baseman and lead-off hitter. He will stay there until he plays himself out of both spots according to Manny Acta. Lopez is hitting .416 (10-24) in his last 6 games, all starts. I asked him if he prefers batting first to any other spot in the order.
"I'll hit anywhere and nothing surprises me any more. I don't expect anything. I just show up and if I'm playing, I'm going to play hard. Anybody would be happy to start and I'm just taking advantage of everything."
Ronnine Belliard
With Lopez getting the starting job at second, Ronnie Belliard is relegated to the bench. He's hitting just .214 this year and I asked him if it's frustrating begining the season as the starter and then losing his job.
"No, not for me. I have been around enough and I know what it is. If I'm playing, I'm going to do the best I can. Right now, Felipe is doing his job and I cheer for him and I hope he does well and helps the team win. It's all about winning, it's not about the individual, I just think about the team. If the team is successful, it's good."
Wily Mo Pena
Wily Mo Pena is back in the line-up tonight after being given the day off yesterday. He's been struggling so far this year, batting .100 with 1 RBI. He's says he's 100% healthy and is just working through this funk with hitting coach Lenny Harris.
"The best thing it to watch a lot of video from last year to this year and keep working hard. I'm in a slump and everybody knows it and I'm just trying to get away from that. He showed me a lot of stuff, a lot of video. He's good (Lenny Harris), he talk's to me a lot. He knows what's going on in my mind. Everything is positive. It's baseball and every body gets in a slump. If I go 0-4 tonight, I forget about it and know tomorrow is another game. I don't put pressure on myself."
Starting Line-Up's
Mets
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Brian Schneider
P Johan Santana
Nationals
2B Felipe Lopez
SS Cristian Guzman
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Nick Johnson
RF Austin Kearns
CF Lastings Milledge
LF Wily Mo Pena
C Wil Nieves
P Tim Redding
Pitching Match-Up
Tim Redding (3-1, 3.27), the Nationals most consistent pitcher this season, takes on the Mets and their high powered offense that begins at the top with lead-off man Jose Reyes. Reyes is 4-8 against Redding and he'll have to keep this a low scoring game. Why you ask? Simple, Johan Santana is pitching for the Mets. In 6 career games vs. the Mets, 5 starts, Redding is 1-0, 4.00 ERA. Last season, he faced NY twice and gave up 5 earned runs in 10 innings, four coming in his second start. He got a no decision in both games and the Mets and Nats each won a game.
In his last start on April 18, Redding gave up three hits, 4 earned runs in 6 innings. He struckout 10 Marlins in route to the 6-4 win.
Johan Santana (2-2, 3.25) is on the hill for the Mets and makes his third career start against the Nationals. In his previous two outings, Santana is 1-1, 2.40 ERA. Last season the Nats beat Santana, who was pitching for the Twins, 3-1 in Minnesota. He gave up 3 runs, two earned, in 7 innings.
Santana is coming off a 6-4 win over the Phillies where he pitched 7 innings, gave up 4 hits, 3 eraned runs and struckout 10, the 40th time in his career he had double-digit strikeouts. This is the 4th start on the road for the 2-time Cy Young award winner. In the previous three, his is 2-1
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