NEW YORK 3 Washington 2 (ESPN Boxscore)

John Patterson had his first decent start of the season and the Nats had another lead, but they couldn’t hold and lost 3-2 in Flushing Meadows. 49 year old PH Julio Franco drove in the winning run in the 7th off of Ryan Wagner.

Patterson stayed in too long (walking 3 of his last 4, IIRC) and the Nats stranded a lot of runners again.

Mets’ Star Power Beyond Nats’ Grasp – The Post

Nats drop close one – The Wash. Times

Neither of the broadsheets could resist doing stories about Nick Johnson‘s return to Shea Stadium, site of his collision with Austin Kearns last September. Johnson is still rehabbing his broken leg from that incidient.

Johnson Back At Scene of His Injury – The Post

Shea brings back painful memories – The Wash. Times