Washington 1 NEW YORK (NL) 0 (Boxscore)
Bergmann, Nats Escape From N.Y. – The Post
Glove work seals shutout win – The Wash. Times
Bergmann justifies his recall with gem – The Free Lance-Star
Wanting Answers, Wagner Adds Questions – The Times
Billy Wagner rips into team, Mike Pelfrey flirts with no-hitter vs. Nationals – NY Daily News
NO BATS FOR THE PELFREY – NY Post
Oh, those hapless Nationals. Six innings in, they had not gotten so much as a hit off of Mets starter Mike Pelfrey. Surely, defeat was imminent except that it was not.
A resurgent Jason Bergmann, who changed his mechanics during his stay in AAA Columbus, may have exceeded Pelfrey’s hits allowed, but matched runs scored. Bergmann got nine strikeouts over his seven innings of work, a triumphant return from a terrible start to the season.
Through seven, the game was tied 0-0. Aaron Boone had broken up Pelfrey’s no hitter in the seventh, but was caught stealing later in the inning. The Nats did score the game’s only run in the eighth. Jesus Flores doubled to lead off the inning. PH Willie Harris moved Flores over to third with a sacrifice. Felipe Lopez sacrificed to left to score Flores.
In the ninth, the Mets threatened to take back the game. A Carlos Beltran single put the tying run on first. Former Nats Ryan Church was robbed of an extra-base hit by a diving Harris who was playing left field. Beltran then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Flores. With only one out, the tying run was 90 feet away. Jon Rauch got Carlos Delgado to line out to first and Boone threw Beltran out at third to end the game. Whew!
The Mets are now sniping at each other as their underachievement comes to a head. The Nats have to be feeling pretty good about themselves, having bounced back from a bad series with the Marlins.
Johnson Lands On DL; Young Is Called Up – The Post
Johnson goes on DL; Young set for return – The Wash. Times
Johnson on DL, Young returns – The Free Lance-Star
A torn tendon sheath in his right wrist has Nick Johnson has headed to the DL again. He is said to be out 4-6 weeks, but will anybody be surprised if he is not back before the All-Star game?
Johnson’s injury opens the door for the return of Dmitri Young, last year’s comeback player of the year and this year’s big disappointment thus far. Da Meathook will likely be the DH this weekend as the Nationals head to the other end of the B/W Parkway to take on the hated Orioles.
Giant President Heads Invade Inner Harbor – DC Sports Bog
Feathers fly when rival baseball mascots meet – WTOP
The Rushmores and Screech went to Baltimore yesterday.
Old Friends, Back in the Game – The Post
Stan Kasten is friends with his opposite number in Baltimore, Andy MacPhail.
