Mets Shut Out Nationals 6-0

On Jackie Robinson Night

 

The player of the game was David Wright, who went three-four, including a home run and two doubles and a walk, driving in five runs and scoring twice.

By Dan Miller
Opening ceremonies at the Tuesday, April 15 game that pitted the Mets against the Washington Nationals included Rachel Robinson, widow of baseball legend  Jackie Robinson, speaking about her husband’s legacy as humanitarian and baseball player, and a video of Robinson’s life and core values of courage, excellence, persistence, justice, teamwork, commitment, citizenship, determination and integrity shown on the giant Diamond Vision screen. New York Governor David Paterson, wearing  Robinson’s No. 42, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Every player and coach from both teams also wore the number in honor of Robinson’s breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier as the first African-American to play on a Major League team, the Brooklyn Dodgers, as they were then, 61 years ago.

The Mets scored first in the first inning on three hits. Jose Reyes opened the game with a single, but was picked off first base on a botched steal attempt. Ryan Church, hitting in the second slot in the batting order for the first time this season, singled as well. This set the stage for David Wright to hit a home run over the left field wall. It was Wright’s fourth homer of the season and the third home run in as many games.

The Nationals threatened in the top of the fifth when pitcher Odalis Perez singled to right with two out. This brought up former Mets favorite Lastings Milledge with the tying run. Milledge struck out swinging to end the Nationals’ threat. The Mets threatened in the bottom of the fifth when Reyes led off with a triple just over the head of the left fielder, who leaped against the left field wall, just missing the ball.

The winning pitcher was Mike Pelfrey (2-0), who pitched a career-high seven scoreless innings

Wright hit a hard grounder to third with Reyes holding third. Carlos Beltran walked on a 3-2 count, bringing Carlos Delgado to the plate. Odalis Perez hit Delgado on the elbow, loading the bases for Angel Perez. Perez swung on the first pitch and flew out to the left fielder to end the inning.

The Mets threatened again in the seventh. Reyes led off, needing a home run for the cycle. He singled and took second on a throwing error by the Nationals’ catcher. Church grounded out to first, moving Reyes to third base. Wright doubled down the left field line, scoring Reyes, who trotted home. Beltran singled to left, scoring Wright from second base. The Mets led 4-0. Delgado flied out to center. Angel Pagan walked, moving Beltran to second with two out. Brian Schneider grounded to short, ending the inning.

Aaron Heilman came in to pitch for the Mets in the top of the eighth, with the Mets leading 4-0. Heilman was greeted with a double by leadoff batter Christian Guzman. This brought Ryan Zimmerman to the plate. He hit the first pitch deep into the right field corner, going foul at the last moment. Heilman got Zimmerman on a foul out to first baseman Delgado in foul territory down the right field line. Heilman walked Nick Johnson, putting runners on first and third with Austin Kearns coming to bat. Heilman’s first pitch to Kearns was a ball. Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson visited the mound to discuss strategies with Heilman and on the very next pitch, Heilman got Kearns to ground out to Wright at third. Wright threw the ball to second base to force Nick Johnson and to end the inning.

Luis Castillo led of the Mets’ eighth with a walk. Marlon Anderson pinch-hit for relief pitcher Heilman. Luis Castillo stole second. Anderson grounded out first to the pitcher, moving Castillo to third with Reyes coming to bat. Reyes struck out, swinging on a high fast one. Church walked, bringing Wright to the plate.

Wright fouled off a few pitches before delivering a double deep to left center, scoring Castillo and Church. Beltran struck out to end the Mets’ threat, but the Mets led after eight, 6-0. As the Mets began to take the field for the ninth, the PA system belted out “Wild Thing” as Duaner Sanchez trotted to the mound. Sanchez got leadoff batter Johnny Estrada to line out softly to second baseman Luis Castillo. Wilmo Pena hit a single up the middle and struck out. Pinch hitter Rob Mackowiak came to bat with two out and one on. Sanchez went two and two on Mackowiak before getting him to ground out to first baseman Delgado to end the game.

A paid attendance of 46,567 saw the Mets defeat the Washington Nationals 6-0. The winning pitcher was Mike Pelfrey (2-0), who pitched a career-high seven scoreless innings, giving up five hits, two walks and striking out four. Pelfrey’s previous high was 6.1 innings last season on May, 1, 2007 against the Florida Marlins. Pelfrey also tied a career-winning streak with two consecutive wins. The losing pitcher was starter Odalis Perez (0-3).

The player of the game was David Wright, who went three-four, including a home run and two doubles and a walk, driving in five runs and scoring twice. The game marks the third time Wright has hit a home run in three consecutive games. Wright hit home runs in a career-high four consecutive games from June 7 to 10, 2007. The Mets now have six homers in all. Wright has four and Church and Delgado each have one.

Jose Reyes returned to action after missing two games due to a mild strain to his left hamstring  by going four-five, hitting two singles, a double, a triple and a run scored.

With this win, the Mets improved their record to 6-6. The Nationals’ record is now 4-10.


Photo Dan Miller/DMD Images