Mets Lose Another Series With Sunday's Loss to the Nationals

The Mets lost 6-3 earlier today against the Nationals in Washington pushing their record to 20-23 leaving them 3.5 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves as they head into an off-day on Monday. They have now lost half of their fourteen series played so far this season.

Even though he took the loss, Zack Wheeler was better this time around than in his last outing. He completed six innings, struck out five, and walked just two. Wheeler's record is currently 1-4 and his earned run average stayed pat at 4.53.

In the home third inning, two of Wheeler's five runs would be unearned due to shortstop Ruben Tejada's inability to backhand a ground ball hit by Jayson Werth with two outs. Nats catcher Wilson Ramos (2-for-3 on the day) would be up next, making the Mets pay for their poor defense as his double would produce two runs putting the Nats ahead 3-1. Ramos would finish the afternoon with four RBI.

For the Mets, back-up catcher Juan Centeno went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI but was thrown out in the top half of the sixth inning for the third out trying to stretch a single into a double.

For more Mets coverage of today's game, check out these links:

ESPN NY...Zack: 'I need to hurry up and turn it around'

Mets.com...Wheeler takes step back in rubber-game loss

NY Post...Wheeler shaky as Mets fall to Nationals, 6-3

Amazin' Avenue...Final Score: Nationals 6, Mets 3 - base running and defensive miscues prove costly

NY Daily News...Mets bumble way to defeat against Nationals as Zack Wheeler takes loss

MetsBlog...Jenrry Mejia still not closer until back-to-back outings

Mets Pitching the Obvious Culprit In Latest Loss

After reading about how the Mets top prospect, Zack Wheeler, struggled in his last AAA start, my concerns regarding the future and current state of the Mets pitching staff have begun to grow worrisome. With RHP Shaun Marcum's return to the starting rotation in limbo and current fourth and fifth starters, RH Jeremy Hefner and LH Aaron Laffey, respectively, unable to show any signs that they belong at the major-league level, the thought of a strong Mets pitching staff this season is a definite long shot.

Earlier today, Hefner and Laffey's sub-par performances against the Washington Nationals pretty much reinforced that point. Hefner was lifted for a pinch-hitter, Ruben Tejada, in the bottom of the fourth after giving up 3 runs on 4 hits, two of those hits being home runs, raising his earned run average on the young season to 7.07. The decision to pinch-hit for Hefner paid off for manager Terry Collins. Tejada would eventually work out a walk and prolong the inning allowing Tejada to score one of the Mets five runs that inning that gave the Mets a 5-3 lead.

With the Mets now on top, Collins would hand the ball off to Laffey hoping to keep the game in check.That theory would prove to be wishful thinking as the southpaw would go on to surrender a three-run homer to Nats first baseman, Adam LaRoche, in the top of the fifth inning, putting Washington up 6-5. (Laffey's pitching line today, 0.2 IP - 2 hits - 3 runs - 3 ER - BB - HR - 7.20 ERA)

The Mets would go on to tie the score at six in the bottom of the seventh on John Buck's 21st RBI only to see that lead evaporate when reliever Josh Edgin coughed up a solo shot to Bryce Harper in the top of the eighth inning putting the Nats up to stay, 7-6.

Mets Look to Turn the Page on Beltran

Kerel Cooper of On The Black.com posted video of San Francisco pitching prospect, Zack Wheeler, who coincidentally is the player named in the pending Carlos Beltran trade.

Here was my response:

Haha! Are you trying to rub it into Beltran's face with this video post?

On a serious note, I had to undergo some Met therapy the last few days and finally came to grips with him leaving...I championed for him to go to the Giants last Thursday night, so Mets fans wouldn't have to see him compete against them. I even accepted the Braves, but not the Phils...imagine playing the Phillies and having to watch Beltran slug a HR at Citizens' Bank, not sure if I'm ready for that...Wright's been good at the plate. LGM!

After Kerel confirmed that he wasn't taking jabs at Beltran, I replied with...

for the record, it was this past Monday night that I felt that the Giants would be a good fit for Beltran...actually, the one thing I noticed when I was checking out his career numbers was that his speed dropped when he came to the Mets, he was stealing 40 bases with the Royals and when he signed with the Mets, half that?? He was hurt while with the Mets as well, and the no arbitration clause in his contract made him a no-brainer to be traded this season, Alderson wasn't even able to obtain some draft picks if another team signed him in the off-season.