Quick Recap: Nationals 6, Mets 4 — Say It Ain't So, Johan

For the fifth straight start, Johan Santana was shelled. The Mets jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the first inning, but Santana crumbled after three perfect innings to begin his night. He gave up a grand slam in the fourth and a two-run home run in the fifth to put the Mets behind by four. Although Mets hitters plated a run in the sixth and another in the seventh and put two men on base in the ninth inning, they were not able to come back.

We knew it was over when...

Santana gave up runs five and six.

What else?

• It's just not a whole lot of fun to watch Santana these days.
• If you're going to split Santana's season into the good part and the bad part, do it right. Through June 30, Santana had a 2.76 ERA. Since then, he has an ERA of about a zillion. The "ERA since his no-hitter" story has gotten old.

Game Thread Roll Call

Nice job by MetsFan4Decades; her effort in the game thread embiggens us all.