The New York Mets continue to find ways to get the job done. Wednesday night, with the bats really unable to generate anything for three-quarters of the game, the Amazin's used some late-inning heroics to get the job done on the road -- a 6-3 victory against the Washington Nationals -- that started with a Daniel Murphy pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning and ended with a ninth-inning rally, capped off by his two-run double.
Sitting in favor of Justin Turner because the Mets were facing a lefty in Tom Gorzelanny, Terry Collins made the move to bring up Murphy with two outs in the eighth inning against right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard with the Mets down 2-1. Murphy promptly launched a home run to right field to knot the game at two apiece. The Mets had jumped out to a lead in the third inning with a Justin Turner single, but two consecutive one-run innings for the Nationals in the fourth and fifth inning put the home team ahead -- until Murphy's blast tied it up.
Pedro Beato came out for the eighth inning looking to keep the score tied, but gave up a quick double to Adam LaRoche. Josh Thole then allowed a Beato pitch to get by him and Wilson Ramos stepped up with a man on third. He lifted a ball to centerfield to bring home the potential winning run -- and after Beato retired the next two batters, the Mets would go to the ninth inning trailing by one.
Nats' manager Jim Riggelman made the odd decision to use Sean Burnett in the ninth inning, despite him not pitching well lately and the Nats' future stopper Drew Storen closing out the past three save chances. It was a managerial move Riggelman would ultimately regret as Burnett allowed four hits and four earned runs, while only getting two outs. Jason Bay reached on an infield single, then Ike Davis followed with a clean single to left field. Willie Harris was sent up to bunt and move the runner over, but instead reached first on the bunt to load the bases. Collins sent up Chin-Lung Hu to pinch hit for Beato and Hu hit a sac fly to right field -- and Thole grounded out next, but brought home a run to give the Mets the 4-3 advantage. Murphy put the icing on the cake, smacking a double to right field and scoring Harris and Jose Reyes (who had been intentionally walked). Francisco Rodriguez closed out the ninth, allowing just a double in his inning of work.
R.A. Dickey was solid on the mound tonight, tossing 6 2/3 innings, while allowing eight hits and two earned runs -- and keeping the Mets in striking distance.
Regardless of the way the Mets were able to pull his one out, it's a very encouraging sign to see them come back in the late innings and prolong their winning streak, which is now six games. Most of all, it's nice to see an assortment of guys chip in for the victory. New York will look to sweep their second straight series Thursday night.