The Mets should be grateful to get out of this series with even a single win, let alone the sweep that they actually accomplished. The pitching -- on both sides, really, but only one side that has playoff aspirations -- was utterly dreadful. Two-fifths of the Mets' starting rotation looked like little leaguers against the third-worst offense in the National League. Washington Nationals hitters made like the Large Hadron Collider in tearing Perez and Pelfrey new black holes on subsequent nights.

Fortunately for their pitching, the Mets' offense was just slightly more mighty than their Washington counterparts, cranking out thirteen hits and thirteen runs en routes to another important victory. They're all important victories at this point in the season (read: at any point in the season), but beating the bad teams -- especially when the Phillies are having trouble with them -- is practically essential for success.

Speaking of the Phillies, those fellers from Philadelphia dropped another game to the Marlins, this time 7-3. The loss, coupled with the Mets' victory, pushes the Phillies 3.5 games back in the NL East, four in the loss column. The combo effort knocks the Mets' Magic Number down to Gil Hodges.

Big winners: Carlos Beltran, +32.2% WPA, David Wright, +28.3% WPA
Big losers: Aaron Heilman, -21.6% WPA, Brian Stokes, -9.8% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Beltran single in 7th, +14.5% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Guzman three-run dinger, -25.3% WPA
Total pitcher WPA: -24.4%
Total batter WPA: +74.4%
GWRBI: Brian Schneider

Game Thread Roll Call

Nice job by BobbyV_Incognito; his effort in the game thread embiggens us all.