Mets: Three takeaways from their loss on Wednesday to the Nationals

Apr 8, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Rafael Montero (50) throws against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. The Washington Nationals won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Rafael Montero was poised and impressive 

Rafael Montero, making his first relief appearance of the season, looked fantastic on Wednesday night.

The only blip for Montero was a one-out double he allowed in the seventh, but he was spotless aside from that.

Montero’s most impressive moment came against Ryan Zimmerman with two outs and two on (he had intentionally walked Bryce Harper) in the seventh. Montero fired three straight fastballs in the lower-90s that painted the black on the outside corner at the knees to strike out Zimmerman.

In the eighth, Montero retired the side in order, which included a strikeout of Ian Desmond.

The 2015 version of Montero is so far the complete opposite of the 2014 version of Montero – the one who couldn’t throw strikes. This Montero is what he’s been throughout his entire minor league career. He should be an asset in the pen (for now), and an asset in the starting rotation sooner rather than later.