Nationals 5, Mets 4: This Is Where We Get Off

This started out as an ol' fashioned fast-moving pitchers' duel, with Ross Detwiler and Jon Niese matching zeroes in the early going--Detwiler with groundouts, Niese with Ks. But with one out in the bottom of the fifth, Niese allowed an opposite field solo homer to Tyler Moore. His teammates could do nothing against Detwiler, and wasted a opportunities to tie things up in the seventh and eighth innings. In the bottom half of the eighth, Josh Edgin allowed a two-out walk, a stolen base, and a double to drive in a costly insurance run.

However, the Mets staged a stunning rally in the top of the ninth when Josh Thole and David Wright hit back-to-back singles tagainst Tyler Clippard. One out later, Jordany Valdespin (pinch hitting for Jason Bay, because, c'mon) fought out of an 0-2 hole to belt yet another three-run go-ahead home run against an NL East closer. No, I don't know how he does it either. But that put the game in the hands of the bullpen, and Bobby Parnell put runners on the corners with one out. He nearly escaped danger by striking out Tyler Moore, but then allowed a two-out, two-strike game-tying single to Danny Espinosa.

Amazingly, the Mets recovered from this blow in extras, as Murphy hit an infield single to start the top of the 10th, moved to second on a sac bunt, and scored on a two-out double from Thole. Less amazingly, the bottom half opened with a single, a sac bunt, and a game-tying triple by Bryce Harper. After walking the bases loaded and getting a ground out at the plate, Pedro Beato put the speared olive on this you-know-what sandwich by uncorking a wild pitch to plate the winning run.

Careful when jumping off the bandwagon, folks. Don't wanna turn an ankle.

Full recap to come.

Game Thread Roll Call

Nice job by Terry_Is_God; your effort in the game thread embiggens us all.