New York – Ross Detwiler had a shaky first inning on the mound for the Washington Nationals Tuesday night at Citi Field. The New York Mets had two runners on with no outs. But in his first start of the season, Detwiler got out of a jam. From there the Mets had to play catch up baseball and at times it resembled so much of what went wrong last season.
After that inning, Detwiler retired his final 13 batters and the Nationals would go on to a 6-2 win handing New York their first loss of the season. The Mets did not resemble a team that won their first four games, their best start since the 2007 season, and were one of four teams with a perfect record to start the season. They were denied their first 5-0 start since 1985.
Detwiler (1-0) would throw five scoreless innings and allowed two hits as the Nationals evened the three game series that concludes Wednesday afternoon.
Mets manager Terry Collins had to revamp the starting lineup. Ike Davis, hitless in four games sat down and Justin
Turner got the start at first base. Davis would pinch hit with two on and two outs in the seventh and struck out.
More importantly, Ronny Cedeño got the start at third for David Wright who sustained a jammed fifth finger of his right hand in the Mets win Monday evening. An X-Ray revealed a small fracture at the middle joint of the finger.
“This is a non-operative surgery,” said a statement released by the team regarding the injury to Wright. Last season he was on the disabled list with a lower back stress fracture that caused him to miss action from mid May to late July. Thursday, in their Opening Day win, outfielder Andrés Torres was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left calf.
The statement went on to say about Wright, “The finger will be splinted and reevaluated tomorrow,” meaning prior to the finale Wednesday a determination will be made about Wright. The statement went on to say, “David can return to baseball activity as tolerated.”
“I couldn’t grip a ball today,” said Wright who went 7-for 12 in the first four games.”It’s always frustrating to miss time. Kinds of breaks up the momentum we had.”
Dillon Gee, who led the Mets in wins last season with 13, got his first start. He allowed four runs, which three were earned in 5 1-3 innings, striking out six and walked one. A booted ball by Daniel Murphy led to an error that helped the Nationals score three runs in the sixth inning.
Gee (0-1) was undefeated in five career starts against Washington. He would also give up a home run to Ian Desmond leading off the game. “Thought he threw the ball good,” said Collins about his starter. “If we make some good plays behind him he leaves with a good outing.”
The Nationals banged out 13 hits off Gee, Bobby Parnell, and Miguel Batista.
The finale Wednesday brings a good pitching matchup. Johan Santana, who threw five scoreless innings in the Opening Day assignment and got a no decision, opposes touted right hander Stephen Strasburg, making his first start for Washington.
e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com
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This post is provided in part by Great Neck Rentals & Five Towns Real Estate
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