No Flop About It!

April 25, 2008

It’s amazing what a good game can do for the spirits! By the middle of the 5th inning, the Nationals were trailing the Mets 3-0 after being pecked for a run against Shawn Hill three innings in a row and the game was looking like another downer. Shawn Hill’s second start of the season started out strong, but he threw a wild pitch and a wild pickoff throw to second in the fifth inning, his last inning of work. Lefty Mike O’Connor, normally a starter and not just a left-handed specialist, called up just yesterday when Ray King was optioned, relieved him in the sixth with the game tied 3-3 after the Nats caught up in the bottom of the 5th. Fortunes of the game suddenly reversed and the Nats bats came to life.

Felipe Lopez was the man of the game! His grins in the dugout after hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the 6th to put the Nats on top 7-3 were awesome to see for once! I probably freaked out the old lady next door again with my screams and whooping! At least it drew our other neighbors out to come watch the rest of the game on the barn with me.

The smiles were contagious! Wil Nieves is spunky and expressive – I love that! He also had a good night at the plate. If he could throw out base runners, I’d be perfectly happy having him man the backstop instead of Estrada or Lo Duca. Although, Lo Duca’s frank quotes are kind of growing on me. Estrada is slated to start tonight against the Cubs, although his elbow has still been bothering him.

Ryan Church continues to be a hot hitter. Good for him! Brian Schneider was not catching for the Mets, apparently because he was hospitalized with and infection in his thumb requiring IV antibiotics. Yikes! Speedy recovery, Brian!

Good to see Mike O’Connor back! He pitched one scoreless inning in relief, although Bowden says ultimately he still views him as a starter. I was kind of bummed to see him only out for one inning, but Lastings Milledge pinch hit for him in the bottom of the 6th, drawing a walk that loaded the bases to set up Lopez’s dinger. Milledge was scratched from the starting lineup for arriving to the park late. Still, one inning was enough for O’Connor to earn the win.

Jon Rauch nearly had me biting my nails in the top of the 9th. I’m glad we had a sizable lead.

Now, on to the Cubbies. Yikes! At least my mom is coming to town for the occasion!

Final: Nationals 10 Mets 5

Posted in Gameday, MLB, Washington Nationals