The New York Mets (46-36) plated eight runs in the first four innings on their way to a 9-5 win over the Washington Nationals Sunday, ending a seven-game road trip.
“That felt like it was more than seven days,” said Jason Bay after the game.
The Mets completed the trip 3-4. They are now 18-24 on the road this season. The Mets win combined with the Atlanta Braves 3-2 loss to the Florida Marlins, moved New York within two games of the top of the National League East.
New York Mets @ Washington Nationals … recap and boxscore
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Post Game:
Hisanori Takahasi (7-3, 4.32) pitched five innings, allowing three runs and five hits (86 pitches/56 pitches). He struck out seven and walked two.
Jerry Manuel used five relievers to complete the final four innings — Elmer Dessens, Pedro Feliciano, Ryota Igarashi, Bobby Parnell and Francisco Rodriguez. In four innings pitched, the Mets ‘pen combined to give up two runs, seven hits, strking out five Nationals.
Angel Pagan got his groove back, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a walk.
David Wright has raised his batting average to .315 with two more hits. Wright has 10 multi-hit games in his last 13 starts (since June 22).
Ike Davis hit a long two-run home run off Craig Stammen in third inning. Jason Bay had a two-hit game with a triple and four RBI.
Rod Barajas is showing signs of life at the plate. He had two hits including a double, a run and a walk.
Post Game Quotes:
Francisco Rodriguez (on rebound performance):
“That’s the best that can happen — give me the opportunity the next day to go out there and shut the door, especially after the embarrassing performance I had yesterday. I just wanted to go out there and redeem myself.”
Francisco Rodriguez (on facing Adam Dunn):
“A little revenge. Yesterday, it was pretty obvious, was his day. He got a good pitch to hit, and you guys know the result. And today I got the opportunity to get back — do a little a flashback and make sure not to repeat the same mistake I did the night before and make sure to wrap up that victory. I was a little more aggressive. I was attacking the strike zone quick. I was able to make the pitches earlier in the count. That’s what I was looking for the night before. Everything today seemed to be a lot better. The command was there. The velocity was there.”
Jason Bay (on the Nats):
“These guys battle us right to the end every single game. It’s the way it’s been all year. Now, 8-0 is kind of insurmountable. Five runs, all of a sudden, you’re back in the game. We kind of held it together there, albeit not in a timely fashion. But we did. That’s all the matters.”
David Wright (on the road trip):
“We had some difficult travel days and some difficult games, some rain. It could have been better; it could have been worse. It ends up an average road trip for us.”
