I don’t have strong feelings about the New York Mets. This is mostly because I’ve always been a Yankees fan and Yankees fans a naturally dismissive of the Mets. I do love singing “beat the Mets, beat the Mets, the Nats just beat the Mets” though. That being said, for those who are Mets fans, last night must have been the latest crushing lost.

In the 4th inning Angel Pagán, the Mets centerfielder, hit an inside the park home run (first Mets hit of the game) over the head of Nats centerfielder Nyjer Morgan. The peanut gallery (Twitter) was not amused. An inning later, Pagán was involved in a triple play (from The Post story Nationals snap five-game losing streak with home victory over the Mets):

In the Nationals’ half of the fifth, with runners on first and second, Pagán made a shoestring catch on (Christian) Guzmán’s bloop into shallow center, then lobbed the ball casually back into the infield. Starting pitcher Liván Hernández, working on three days’ rest, and Morgan were on base, unaware Pagán had secured the ball for the out, and advanced.

That’s when catcher Henry Blanco picked up the ball by the pitcher’s mound and threw to shortstop José Reyes at second. Reyes threw to first base to complete the rare feat that umpires had to discuss before confirming.

Is it just me or is it somewhat appropriate that somebody with name like Angel Pagán would be involved in two such plays? How much must it hurt to lose a game where you get an inside the park HR and a triple play?

Baserunning gaffe aside ¡LIVAN! came through last night (Nats Insider). Pitching on 3 days rest, he gave the Nats 6 1/3 innings of 2 run ball, his 7th quality start in eight tries. He threw 94 pitches, but was pulled with a runner on and one out in the 7th. In came Drew Storen, with a runner on second and 1 out, despite his manager Jim Riggleman saying he would not pitch in pressure situations. Storen got the job done though and Cristian Guzman tripled home the lead run (nationals.com) in the bottom of the inning, Storen got the win earning him two shaving cream pies and the Silver Elvis wig (Nationals Enquirer).

Also noteworthy:

Tyler Clippard shaking his arm out after his appearance. Let the man rest before he goes day-to-day to DL to elbow surgery. I fear it may be too late.

Matt Capps gave up a home run in the ninth to Fernando Tatis, but retired the other 3 batters for the save.

The Nats acutally wore their regular home uniforms. The Mets wore their dreadful black ones.

The Nats are now 21-20 and lead the season series against the Mets 5-2. The Nats go for the series sweep tonight.