3/13 Game Recap: Mets Fall to Nationals 8-5

After loading the bases in the top of the first, the Mets took a 2-0 lead when first baseman Adam LaRoche made an error on a ball off the bat of Travis d’Arnaud.  In the bottom of the inning, the Nationals went ahead 3-2 courtesy of a Bryce Harper three run homer.  The home run was set up after a Justin Turner error at third base.

Feb 21, 2013; Port St Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) poses for a picture during photo day at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets tied it at 3 in the top of the fifth when Marlon Byrd drove in Wilmer Flores with a line drive single to right field.  In the seventh, Collin Cowgill put the Mets ahead 4-3 with a solo home run to left center.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Nats fought back against Bobby Parnell, who entered the game with an ERA of 0.00.  With two outs and a runner on first, the Nats tagged Parnell for four runs (three earned) on RBI singles from Tyler Moore, Bryce Harper, and Ryan Zimmerman to take a 7-4 lead.  Carlos Torres, who should’ve been cut six days ago, pitched the eighth for the Mets and gave up a run when he allowed an RBI single to Kurt Suzuki.  That made it 8-4 Nationals.

The Mets scored a run in the ninth to make it 8-5 and close out the scoring.

Highlights:

• Matt Harvey got the start for the Mets and was dominant after an uneven first inning.  In the first, he walked leadoff hitter Denard Span.  After a Justin Turner error made a mess of the inning, Bryce Harper smoked a three run homer.  Over his four innings, Harvey gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits.  He walked one and struck out six.  He threw 66 pitches (45 for strikes).  Harvey’s spring ERA stands at 2.77.

• Ike Davis went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.  He’s hitting an even .400 this spring.

• Travis d’Arnaud got the start behind the plate and went 0 for 3.  He’s batting .261 this spring.

• Omar Quintanilla, who’s likely to be the backup middle infielder heading into the season, went 1 for 3.

• Collin Cowgill hit a solo homer in the seventh.

• Marlon Byrd had another strong game, going 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI.

• Robert Carson, who appears to be a long-shot to break camp as the second lefty in the pen, retired the side in order in the fifth.

• LaTroy Hawkins came in to pitch the sixth, in what was only his second appearance this spring.  He worked around a one out single to toss a scoreless frame.

• Bobby Parnell entered in the seventh and allowed his first runs of the spring, which all scored after he recorded two outs.  In total, Parnell gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits.

Thoughts:

Matt Harvey continues to impress.  After he allowed three runs (two earned) in a first inning that was thrown off kilter by a Justin Turner error, Harvey was lights out.  Knowing how much of a perfectionist Harvey is, one can imagine that the first inning ticked him off beyond belief.  As he’s done since he made his major league debut, he rose above it and was able to have a very strong overall start.

To those who are tempted flip out over Bobby Parnell giving up three runs, don’t.  Aside from his inning today, Parnell has been lights out this spring.

Next Up:

The Mets host the Tigers at Tradition Field tomorrow afternoon at 1:10.  The game can be seen on SNY and heard on WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM.

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