8/31 Game Recap: Mets Rout Nationals 11-3; Wheeler Wins Seventh; Ike Davis Injured

Heading into this weekend’s series, the Washington Nationals had won eight of their nine previous games.  They have now lost two straight to the Mets.  New York held on for a 3-2 win Friday evening, and Saturday enjoyed a bit of a rout.  Zack Wheeler climbed the hill for Game Two this evening, opposed by the Nationals Dan Haren.

Aug 31, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets teammates Eric Young (22) and Juan Lagares (12) celebrate after a game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The Mets defeated the Nationals 11-3. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The New Yorkers roughed up Washington’s starter early and often.  In just 2.2 innings pitched, Dan Haren allowed seven earned runs on nine hits.  He walked no batters and struck out three before departing on the losing side.

The Mets jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the second inning.  Travis d’Arnaud and Juan Lagares both connected on one out singles.  Omar Quintanilla followed with a double to center field – a ball which Denard Span nearly made a nifty catch on.  Both d’Arnaud and Lagares scored on the play.

New York padded their lead in the third.  Eric Young led-off the inning with a single, then stole his thirty-third base of the season.  Daniel Murphy promptly sent him home with a single up the middle.  Josh Satin followed with another single to put runners on first and third with no outs.  Ike Davis then stepped-in, and was made to sit right back down – felled by a right oblique strain.  His sac-fly to left sent Murphy home with the Mets forth run of the game.  But in what seemed to be an innocuous swing at Dan Haren’s offering, Ike immediately winced in pain.  Lucas Duda replaced Davis at first base.  Travis d’Arnaud and Juan Lagares followed and reached safely, while Josh Satin was cut down at the plate for the second out of the inning.  Matt den Dekker then knocked Haren from the game with yet another single which drove in d’Arnaud for the Mets fifth run.  Facing reliever Tanner Roark, Zack Wheeler drew a bases loaded walk to give the Mets a 6-0 lead.  In his second at-bat of the inning, Eric Young made it 8-0 with a single to left, delivering both den Dekker and Omar Quintanilla.

Washington finally picked up a pair of runs off Wheeler in the bottom of the sixth.  In all, Zack Wheeler pitched 6.2 innings, allowing two runs on five hits.  He walked one batter and struck out three before being relieved by Pedro Feliciano.

Washington scratched out one more run in the ninth, but fell to the Mets by an 11-3 final.  The Mets pounded out seventeen hits against Nationals pitching.  Zack Wheeler improved his record to 7-3, and lowered his ERA to 3.36, down from a 3.42 mark.

Highlights:

• In back to back efforts, Travis d’Arnaud, 2 for 4, enjoyed his second multi-hit game as a Met.

• Juan Lagares, 3 for 5, two RBI.

• Eric Young, 3 for 6, twenty-fifth stolen base as a Met.

• Josh Satin, batting third, 3 for 4.

• Daniel Murphy has nine hits in his last fourteen at-bats.

• Give Pedro Feliciano a well deserved hand for his continuing comeback effort.

• Defense continues to shine.  Tonight’s highlight belonged to Omar Quintanilla.

Low Lights:

• Tough break for Ike Davis.  How long will he be out?  He needed a strong month.  He may not get the chance.

Next:

The Mets and Nationals will wrap up this series Sunday evening on ESPN.  Jonathon Niese will climb the hill, opposed by the Nationals Ross Ohlendorf.

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