As Ron Darling Remarked In The Bottom Of The 8th, "The Nats Will Not Go Gently Into The Night."

Game 2 Mets 10 Nats 7

Jerry Manuel lives to see another day, my tv almost did not.

I don't know how else to put it, nothing with these Metropolitans is ever easy. Even a game like this one where they were leading 10-1 became a nail biter. But we won so how can I stay mad and dwell on that negative mumbo jumbo.

Before the recap of this game let's first look at tonight's 22nd different starting lineup of the season:

Reyes
Cora
Bay
Davis
Wright
Pagan
Barajas
Francouer
Maine

Now to the game!

In the top of the 1st Reyes lead off with a single, Cora made out, Bay singled, Davis got on base thanks to one of the Nats many errors of the night and with the bases loaded Mr. Wright came up to bat. Was I expecting Davey to strike out? MAYBE. Did he? NO no no. David cleared the bases with a double and the Mets took an early 3-0 lead over the Nats.

In the bottom of the first after just 5 pitches thrown Maine had to leave the game. Jerry Manuel was fuming over this. I am pretty certain I saw smoke coming out of his flared nostrils. Ron Darling later reported that Warthen felt Maine's mechanics were off and he wasn't happy with what he had seen before the game and within seconds into this one he was still not content with Mr. Maine. Supposedly John is seeing the doctor tomorrow. Valdes was called from the bullpen much earlier than anyone had envisioned. Having said that it was fine because he had a pretty great outing!

In the top of the 5th the Mets bats were on fire and Ike Davis proved he really has been hitting cleanup his whole life. Bay lead off the inning with a single, Davis doubled, with Bay on 3rd and Ike on 2nd Wright got an rbi sac fly and Canadian Bay-con scored, the Mets now had a 4-1 lead. Then with Ike on 2nd the Nats intentionally walked Angel Pagan to face Barajas. Rod singled and the bases were loaded with 1 out for Frenchy. Jeff got a 2 rbi single and the Mets had taken a 6-1 lead over the Nats. Valdes with Jeff on 1st and Barajas on 2nd bunted, the ball was mishandled by the Nats' reliever Walker and the bases were loaded for Jose Reyes. Reyes grounded the ball to Zimmerman, the Zimm lost his footing, Barjas scored, the Mets had a 7-1 lead, Reyes was safe at first and the bases were loaded with still just the lone out for Alex Cora. Cora got an rbi sac fly, Frenchy scored and the Mets had a 7 run lead, 8-1. Bay then grounded out to Dunn and the inning was done.

10 men had come up to bat in this 5th inning and the Mets were looking good. Really really good. But looks can be deceiving.

In the top of the 6th, Ike proved yet again to all naysayers that yes he should be in the cleanup spot and he lead off the inning with a single. After Wright and Pagan made out Barajas came to bat and well he did his thang, he homered. With that two run homer the Mets now had a 10-1 lead over the Nationals.

At this point the Mets looked like they were golden and this game was going to be an easy victory. But as my Dad kept reminding me throughout this one no lead is ever safe and he cited today's Braves/Reds game where the Braves scored 7 runs in the 9th to beat the Reds as his proof. I shushed my Dad for this negative attitude but the bottom of the 8th made me think wow yet again my Dad proves he's kind of a genius. In this inning the Nats made this game a 4 run ball game. Yes it was 10-6 after 8 innings and I was losing faith in the Mets. How could this early 9 run lead dwindle away so easily??!! Why do these Nats have to be so darn pesky?

Then it was the bottom of the 9th inning. Did I ever think KRod would pitch in this game? NOPE. Did he come in to save this game? YES. KRod did not have the great stuff and he allowed the Nats to knock one more run in but eventually the door was closed on this game and the Mets won 10-7 and I think every Met fan on the planet exhaled a big big big sigh of relief.

Now let's look at two highlights from the booth. Yes without Keith it really just isn't the same and the funny moments are kind of limited.

Gary commented on the major size difference that exists between Adam Dunn and the Nationals' 3rd base coach, Pat Listach, "Dunn on your right, Pat Listach on your left. Don't get in his way Pat. Wow they are like two different species." And they really are, I'm pretty sure R.A. Dickey is in the same species as Dunn though.

Kevin Burkhardt also let Gary, Ron and us fans know that Jenrry Mejia is really trying to learn English and the only thing that is really working for him in doing this is watching "Family Guy." Yes that's right the Griffin family is teaching Jenrry the ingles. Yikes. As Gary said, "Jenrry and Stuey can you see it?" I sure could not but I find it hysterical.

Well that's really it folks.

Tomorrow starts the Subway Series and well let's hope the injured Yankees will be kind to the Mets and Jerry Manuel. Maybe I'm crazy but I don't want Jerry fired and I think the Mets can take 2 out of 3 from the Yanks. By Sunday night my tune might change but hopefully it will not.

Takahashi go out and kill it tomorrow.