Mets 4, Nationals 3

Well the Mets took a rare close game tonight as the bullpen actually got six outs in a row to finish the game.  Really it shouldn’t be a story when the bullpen goes two scoreless innings against the worst team in baseball, but it is tonight.

The Mets got off to a great start thanks to some early clutch runs by the Carloses.  Beltran has been getting a little better lately, pushing his average over .275.  If only he can get the power going a little bit.

Then the offense basically took the rest of the night off.  Sure they got a run in the 8th but that was due more to the Nationals’ lousy pitching than the Mets’ hitting.  Damion Easley got hit in the head with a pitch with bases loaded and a 1-2 count for the game winner.  The lack of tack-on runs is really killing this team.

Johan Santana wasn’t great tonight, but he was good enough to get his 10th win of the year.  Even when he doesn’t have his terrific stuff going, he manages to give his team a chance to win just about every single game…which is what an ace is supposed to do.

And finally, Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano were very good tonight, striking out four during their two innings of duty.  About time this ‘pen got the job done.

John Maine makes his return off the DL tomorrow against Mets killer Jason Bergmann.  Don’t be shocked if Bergmann has another ridiculous game.  I hope I’m wrong.