Nats lose to the Mets, drop six in a row

After a stellar 2009 in Syracuse, J.D. Martin finally made his Major League debut, it did not go as he had hoped.

The young righty pitched four innings Monday  night, giving up eight hits and five earned to a previously struggling Mets line up. Martin earned the loss, as the Nationals dropped the game 6-2.

Martin’s first and second innings were far worse than his third and fourth. The young starter allowed two runs in the first off of Daniel Murphy and Jeff Francoeur doubles, and three runs in the second off of singles from Pagan, Castillo, and Murphy.

The Nationals bats did not help the rookies’ cause.

The Nats batters combined for six hits and two runs against their former ace Livan Hernandez. It was the sixth win for Hernandez and his third against Washington.

In fact, his last three victories have come against Washington, dating back to his May 26th complete game.

While the two teams starters had opposite nights both teams bullpens excelled.

The Nats bullpen went five strong innings allowing only one hit and no walks. Unfortunately for the Nats that one hit was a solo bomb from Francoeur in the ninth.

Nats reliever Tyler Clippard did a great job in long relief out of the pen. The former starter pitched three no-hit innings while striking out five Mets batters and walking none.