Josh Thole snapped a 1-for-18 stretch at the plate with a go-ahead 2-run double against lefty Doug Slaten in the top of the 6th that broke a 3-3 tie. He drove in the first run of the game with an RBI groundout in the 2nd, giving him 3 RBI on the day and 7 for the year.
Chris Young went 4.2 innings and gave up 3 runs, earning a no-decision in his first start since coming off of the DL. The coaching staff had intended on limiting his pitch count. The 3 runs allowed by Young were all off of solo home runs, one by Jayson Werth and two by Wilson Ramos. He allowed only one other hit in the game while striking out 3 and walking 2.
Other good things: After Young walked two in the fifth inning, putting runners on first and second with the game tied 3-3, Terry Collins elected to have Ryota Igarashi enter the game in relief with two outs. Igarashi responded by striking out Werth to retire the side. After Thole's hit snapped the tie in the following half-inning, the Met bullpen contingent of Taylor Buccholz, Jason Isringhausen, and Francisco Rodriguez combined to give up only one run in the following four innings to seal the victory for Igarashi. Jason Bay continues to look strong since his return from the DL, going 2-for-4 and scoring 2 runs. Ike Davis upped his team-high batting average to .338 after going 3-for-4 with a double and 2 runs scored. He scored on a bunt by Young in the 2nd. It was a heads-up play by Davis, as Young acknowledged after the game that there was no squeeze play, as he had only intended on sacrificing Jason Pridie over to second on the play. Carlos Beltran had an RBI double and looked good running the basepaths as he went to third on the play after an error by Werth. Pridie and Daniel Murphy each had two hits and a run scored.
Other bad things: Jose Reyes was picked off of first in the top of the 5th after leading off the inning with a single. He was very upset with the call afterwards, arguing for a short time with first base umpire Kerwin Danley before Collins and first base coach Mookie Wilson intervened. Collins then argued with Danley for a short time. Neither were ejected from the game, and replays did appear to confirm that the call was correct. Isringhausen allowed a leadoff hit to Rick Ankiel in the 8th. Ankiel stole second and went to third on a groundout before scoring on a two-out single by Ramos. It was the first run that Izzy allowed in three appearances, raising his ERA to 2.70 on the year, although he did get of the inning with allowing any further damage, earning his 4th hold of the year. Thole has continued to have trouble throwing out basestealers. It was his 16th steal allowed in 17 starts, and he has only caught baserunners stealing 3 times.
Overall reaction: The lineup has continued to thrive since the return of Bay to the lineup. For a change, the Mets got some much-needed help from Thole with his 3 RBI. The bottom of the order was pretty productive overall, with the two hits from Pridie and the sacrifice and RBI from Young. The pitching once again was very impressive today. Before Izzy ran into trouble in the 8th, the Nats never really threatened, as the 3 runs that were not scored in the 8th all came on solo homers against Young. Young, who usually generates a high number of fly balls, missed with location on all three occasions and paid for it dearly. The fact that he didn't go deep into the game has been a recurring theme for him over his career and may continue to be as the year goes on. And how great has Davis been? He's 13-for-28 over an 8-game hitting streak. With Bay back in the lineup, the Mets should have a very productive offense, barring any future injuries. If Thole can keep hitting the way he hit today and if Pagan hits when he gets back, the Mets should be solid 1-8. If the pitching can hold up, they should at least be able to work their way out of the NL East cellar.
Up next: Game 2 of the series at Nationals Park tonight with R.A. Dickey (1-3, 4.10 ERA) toeing the rubber facing Tom Gorzelanny (0-2, 4.96 ERA), who gave up 5 runs in a loss to the Mets the first time he faced them this year.
Box score
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| This cold streak's been taking on toll on Thole, but he came through big time with 3 RBI. |
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