SB Nation New York - K-Rod Blows Save, Mets Lose 6-5https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2010-07-03T20:21:22-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/13148902010-07-03T20:21:22-04:002010-07-03T20:21:22-04:00Mets Suffer Another Walk-Off Loss
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<p>Washington, DC (Sports Network) – Ivan Rodriguez singled in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a wild, three-run rally that lifted Washington to a dramatic 6-5 comeback victory over New York in the middle of a three-game set.</p>
<p>Adam Dunn’s two-run double off the top of the wall in center field tied the game before Rodriguez lined his decisive hit to right field with the bases loaded and one out to lift the Nationals to their seventh win in 11 games against the Mets this season.</p>
<p>Matt Capps (2-3) earned the win after entering the game with runners at first and second base with nobody out in the ninth and stranding them to keep the Nationals within two runs.</p>
<p>Francisco Rodriguez (2-2) suffered the loss and blew his fourth save chance of the season after giving up all three runs on three hits and three walks for the Mets, who suffered their 10th loss of the season in their opponent’s final at-bat.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/7/3/1551406/mets-suffer-another-walk-off-lossJeff Freier2010-07-03T11:05:24-04:002010-07-03T11:05:24-04:00Mets Face Phenom Strasburg
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<p>(Sports Network) - The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/NYM" class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><font color="#c61c17">New York Mets</font></strong></a> get a first-hand look at the phenom <span><strong><font color="#c61c17">Stephen Strasburg</font></strong></span> this afternoon when they continue their four-game set against Washington at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/WAS" class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><font color="#c61c17">Nationals</font></strong></a> Park.</p>
<p>Strasburg had his worst outing as a pro on Monday in Atlanta, as the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/ATL" class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><font color="#c61c17">Braves</font></strong></a> hit him for four runs (three earned) and six hits in 6 1/3 innings, sending him to his second straight loss and dropping him to 2-2, while raising his earned run average to 2.27.</p>
<p>"Not good enough to win the game, period," Strasburg said. "For the most part I did well enough to keep the team in the ball game, but things aren't working for us right now."</p>
<p>The 21-year-old right-hander did strike out seven in the loss and has fanned an incredible 48 batters in 31 2/3 innings.</p>
<p>Strasburg, though, will have to better than <span><strong><font color="#c61c17">Luis Atilano</font></strong></span> was on Friday for the Nationals, as <span><strong><font color="#c61c17">Alex Cora</font></strong></span> drove in three runs to back <span>Jon Niese</span>'s solid pitching performance in the Mets' 5-3 win.</p>
<p>Niese (6-2) gave up one run on six hits in seven innings. The 23-year-old left-hander also struck out a career-high eight batters en route to winning his fifth straight decision. Niese also had an RBI.</p>
<p>"He's making the pitches when he has to make them," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said of Niese. "Hopefully that's a sign that he's maturing right before our eyes."</p>
<p><span><strong><font color="#c61c17">Ike Davis</font></strong></span> knocked in a run for the Mets, while <span><strong><font color="#c61c17">David Wright</font></strong></span> went 3-for-5 with a run scored for the victors.</p>
<p><span><strong><font color="#c61c17">Josh Willingham</font></strong></span> hit a solo homer for the Nationals, who have dropped seven of their past nine games. <span><strong><font color="#c61c17">Roger Bernadina</font></strong></span> and <span><strong><font color="#c61c17">Ian Desmond</font></strong></span> had an RBI apiece.</p>
<p>Atilano (6-5) got rocked in 3 2/3 frames, allowing five runs on four hits. He also fanned four batters and walked two in the loss.</p>
<p>New York, meanwhile, will hand the ball today to knuckleballer <span><strong><font color="#c61c17">R.A. Dickey</font></strong></span>, who is coming off his first loss of the season. Dickey was hit hard by the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/FLA" class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><font color="#c61c17">Florida Marlins</font></strong></a> in Puerto Rico on Monday, as he surrendered five runs and five hits in five innings to fall to 6-1 on the year to go along with a 2.98 ERA.</p>
<p>Dickey did not get a decision against the Nats in his first start of the year back on May 19, but is 0-1 in three outings (two starts) against them with an 8.38 ERA.</p>
<p>Washington has won seven of its last nine at home versus the Mets, who are 6-4 overall against the Nats this season.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/7/3/2317414/mets-face-phenom-strasburgJeff Freier