Well, the winning streak couldn't last forever, but who would've thought in the midst of an offense who was getting contributions from all over in recent nights that the New York Mets would make Livan Hernandez look like an ace? On Thursday night, Hernandez changed speeds, kept Mets hitters off balance and lead the Washington Nationals to a 4-3 victory on the heels of his eight-inning three-run (two earned) outing. New York would try to come back for the second night in a row, but a two-out single proved all they could muster in the ninth.
Chris Capuano was on the hill for the Mets tonight and he was hit around pretty well in his 5 2/3 innings pitched. He gave up 10 hits, but was really lucky to only give up four earned runs on the night. Credit him for sticking with it, though, and giving the Mets a decent start altogether.
Jason Werth began the game's scoring with a ground rule double to right field to drive in one in the third inning, but the Mets managed to tie it up at the top of the fourth inning when David Wright grounded to first base, driving home Jose Reyes. After the Nats went ahead in the bottom of the fourth, 3-1, the Mets began the top of the fifth with two straight singles. After Willie Harris fouled out, Capuano bunted but was safe at first on an error by Ivan Rodriguez and the bases were loaded. Reyes hit a sac fly, but Daniel Murphy struck out looking to put an end to a possible Mets' rally. Murphy went 0-for-4 on the night in the two-hole.
Ian Desmond homered in the fifth inning -- and the Mets attempted to put another rally together in the sixth inning after Ike Davis doubled to right field to score Carlos Beltran, to make the score 4-3, but Thole couldn't get the base hit to tie the game. Drew Storen came in for the save, allowed a single to Thole, but struck out Willie Harris, with Chin-Lung Hu (who ran for Thole) on second base.
The Mets' winning streak ends at six games, but will look to start another one tomorrow night as they travel to Philadelphia to face the Phillies.