David Wright committed his seventh error in the past 10 games. The New York Mets (71-78) third baseman’s bobble in the top of the third cost his team in the 2-0 shutout to the Washington Nationals (70-77) on Wednesday night.
“David played that ball perfectly tonight, he went after it” manager Terry Collins said of the Wright error. “There was that top spin and it came up on him fast. The first thing that Chip (Hale) said to him was that he couldn’t have played it any better.”
The Mets have dropped their fifth straight game, while also losing seven of eight on their current nine-game homestand. New York was shut out for the eighth time this season, and for the first time since August 30 vs. Florida. It was also the third time they have been held scoreless at Citi Field this season.
Starter Mike Pelfrey (L, 7-12) tossed seven innings giving up six hits, and striking out a season high-tying six batters in a fine performance on the mound tonight for New York. The righty also did not allow an earned run for the second time this season.
“I thought it was a good start, especially after the third inning,” Pelfrey said of his start, “I thought I got into a groove and I thought I was able to put the ball where I wanted. The frustrating part was coming out of a game like that.”
‘Pelf’ had been cruising along until the top of the third inning, the frame started out well enough with a strike out-but then the Wright error happened…thus opening the doors for the Nationals offense. Two batters later hits by Michael Morse and Jayson Werth gave the Nationals a 2-0 lead.
Mike had this to say of the rough third inning, “I made two mistakes, obviously the pitch to Werth was a fastball up and it was right down the middle-and he hit it that way. Morse was a sinker and he hit it. I made those two mistakes and they made me pay for it.
Collins had this to say of his starter tonight, “Pelfrey threw strikes tonight; he was able to throw all of his pitches in the zone. He had good command; I thought he pitched a great game. Mike did a great job of holding runners.” The manager continued to say, “I just told him right now you have got to be perfect when you’re not-we’re struggling offensively and it is not a good mix.”
Nationals’ starter Brad Peacock tossed five innings, and gave up two hits while sitting down two batters in his first victory in his debut. The righty along with Tom Gorezlanny, Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen (S, 37) shut the New York offense down for the eventual victory.
The Mets offense finished the night with four of hits-as the theme of the night were fly ball outs. New York finished the night lifting seven of balls in the air…as a very disturbing trend is starting at Citi Field. In their last three games the Metropolitans have been able to only record four runs.
Normally one of the successes and keys to the offensive engine that is the Mets is the fact that the guys are normally able to connect for line drives. That has not been the case for New York in this series with the Nationals.
Making a fine defensive play and recording a hit in the game was Ruben Tejada, as the infielder made a nice running grab in the bottom of the fourth inning for a double play. Also tallying hits were Jason Bay, Jose Reyes and Justin Turner. Turner pinch hit in the bottom of the seventh, gave the 26,885 in attendance reason to cheer, by driving a double (28) to center field.
It was a nail bitter in the bottom of the ninth as back-to-back walks by Bay and Willie Harris started the frame. A failed bunt attempt by Turner, a fielder’s choice play and a line out closed out the victory for the Nationals.
On allowing Turner to hit instead of bunting, Terry Collins had this to say, “There wasn’t a thought to let Justin hit in that situation. Right now we are trying to force some things, we know that Storen is tough on the right handed batters-and we just wanted to put guys in scoring position.”
Of course the line out wasn’t any ordinary play as Nationals center fielder Rick Ankiel made an amazing diving grab, as the outfielder continues his Met-killing ways.
Relief pitcher Josh Stinson had an impressive top of the ninth inning for New York, as the righty recorded two strikeouts and a fly ball for a perfect frame.
These two teams will meet in the finale on Thursday as Chris Schwinden (0-1, 9.00 ERA) takes o Tom Milone (0-0, 6.30 ERA). The first pitch is slated for 1:10 p.m.
Written on September 15, 2011 on the Examiner.com site by clicking here:
http://www.examiner.com/new-york-mets-in-new-york/no-glove-for-mets-2-0-shutout-to-nationals