The New York Mets lost Tuesday's game against the Washington Nationals, 5-4, in 10 innings at Nationals Park. The game ended on a Pedro Beato wild pitch with two outs and the bases loaded. Ryan Zimmerman scored the winning run, handing the Mets a fifth straight loss.
Jordany Valdespin pinch hit a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning for what at the time seemed like an improbable comeback for the Mets. Down 2-0, Valdespin took Nats closer Tyler Clippard deep to center field for his fifth home run of the season. Bobby Parnell earned his fifth blown save of the season in the bottom of the inning, however, as Danny Espinosa hit an RBI single to send the game to extra innings.
Josh Thole gave the Mets the lead once again with double to center scoring David Murphy. The 4-3 lead was short lived, however.
Tim Byrdak (2-1) was credited with the loss and his second blown save of the season after giving up an RBI triple to Bryce Harper with just one out in the inning. The Mets intentionally walked Zimmerman and Ian Desmond to load the bases and set up a double play. Adam LaRoche grounded to first and Harper was forced out at home for the second out.
Beato came in for Byrdak as Tyler Moore came up for his fifth plate appearance of the night. Thole mishandled Beato's pitch outside and low behind home plate, allowing Zimmerman to score from third base.
Jonathon Niese started and pitched well for the Mets, giving up just three hits and striking out eight in seven innings. A solo home run to Moore in the fifth inning was his only blemish on the night. The Nats took a 2-0 lead in the eighth inning on a Scott Lombardozzi double scoring Mark DeRosa off Josh Edgin.
Nationals starter Ross Detwiler gave up just five hits and struck out four in his seven innings on the mound. Neither starting pitcher gave up a walk on the night.
Game 2 of the series is set for 7:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Chris Young (2-3, 4.28 ERA) will take on the Nats' Jordan Zimmermann (6-6, 2.48) at the mound.
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