Happy Recap: Mets 7 Nationals 2

Even the easy wins don't seem so easy.

I really thought the Mets were going to lose after getting only one run in the first inning. Reyes led off with a double down the line, Murphy singled to center and Milledge misplayed it, letting it roll all the way to the wall. I thought Murphy could have scored but I realized it was prudent to leave him on third for Wright and Delgado. And Wright struck out, and Delgado popped out and the Mets stranded Murphy.

Seems like every time this year the Mets left runs on the table like that, it came back to bite them. But thankfully not this time. The Mets continued to pound out hits, scoring in each of the first five innings.

Brian Schneider continues to kill the Nationals. Four of his 9 home runs are against them. He has 3 homers at their home field this season. He had only 2 homers at their home park last year, when he played for them.

David Wright sank back into his slump. After 2 4-hit games in 4 days last week, he went 1 for 18 in this series, with 7 strikeouts. He now has 13 strikeouts in 52 at bats, with a man on third and fewer than 2 outs. He also has 13 hits in those situations.

Johan Santana once again did the job. He now has 15 straight starts without a loss, the second longest streak in Mets history. The Mets are 11-4 in those starts, a streak that began on July 4th, continuing Santana's second half dominance.

I disagreed at the time with bringing in Joe Smith in the 8th inning with a 6-run lead but I understand Manuel's panic. Personally I would have gone with Parnell and saved the better relievers (Smith has been great) for more high-leverage situations, but you can't believe that a 6-run lead is safe.