The Game

On Tuesday night at Shea Stadium, Jackie Robinson Day started to feel like Groundhog Day as the Mets took an early lead and proceeded to waste numerous chances to add on to their lead over the first six innings. But this day provided an alternate ending from the recurring nightmare the Mets had been living since mid-September as the Mets defeated the Nationals 6-0 behind strong performances by Mike Pelfrey, Jose Reyes, and David Wright.

Mike Pelfrey took the ball and produced his second solid start in as many chances for the Mets this year. Following his victory over the Phillies last week, Pelfrey once again showed glimpses of a young pitcher maturing at the big league level as he threw seven shutout innings limiting the Nats to five hits and two walks while striking out four. Most importantly, it appears as if Big Pelf is starting to trust his stuff while pounding the bottom of the strike zone and exuding confidence in doing so. After being staked to a 2-0 lead on the heels of David Wright’s fourth home run of the season in the first inning, Pelfrey ran into his only bit of trouble in the third. With the bases loaded and the dangerous Nick Johnson stepping to the plate, Pelfrey battled back from behind in the count to strike out Johnson on a high fastball. As he bounced off the mound, Pelfrey had the look of a young pitcher who finally realized that he has the stuff to get big league hitters out… and that’s exactly what he did as he held the Nats to just one hit over his final four frames. Aaron Heilman came on to give the home crowd agita before stranding runners on the corners to finish a scoreless eighth inning.

Jose Reyes returned to the Mets lineup to go 4-5 with two singles, a double, a triple, and a run scored. David Wright also continued his hot hitting as he added two run scoring doubles to go with his first inning homer, ending the evening with five RBI. Carlos Beltran also delivered a much needed RBI single in the seventh as the Mets tacked on to their lead.

The ninth inning produced a nice moment as Duaner Sanchez was activated from a short stint on the 21-Day DL, correction, the 21-Month DL. In making his first appearance since his ill-fated late night food run in July of 2006 in South Beach, Sanchez pitched a scoreless frame while giving up one hit and striking out one.

The Mets turn to John Maine, who will throw the first no-hitter in Mets history, to keep the momentum going on Wednesday night as he will be opposed by southpaw Matt Chico of the Nats.

The Haiku

Two ex-Mets return
So does Duaner, Old Jose
And Pelfrey arrives

The Boxscore

The Win Probability Added Graph

The Credits

Recap by Chuck Buono
Haiku by Howard Megdal