Flat Offense Fails Mets

NEW YORK-- On a night that 23-year-old rookie starting pitcher Jon Niese threw a quality start, and on a night that the Mets bullpen pitched effectively, the Mets offense fell flat against Marlins starter Nate Robertson. The Mets offense were shutdown the first three innings before finally scoring a run on a Jeff Francoeur RBI double in the fourth. They wouldn't score again and wouldn't even have a huge rally the rest of the way. Meanwhile Jon Niese, pitching in his first Major League game since his gruesome hamstring injury ended his season last August 5, pitched six quality innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, striking out three. He got into immediate trouble in the first inning, giving up a run while walking a batter. He wouldn't give up another run until the fifth, an RBI double by Jorge Cantu. The Marlins tacked on another run in the sixth on another RBI double, this one by first baseman Gaby Sanchez. While the Mets bullpen was effective, pitching three shutout innings between Ryota Igarashi, Hisinori Takahasi, Fernando Nieve and Pedro Feliciano, the Marlins bullpen was fantastic led by Burke Badenhop who pitched three shutout innings of one-hit ball. Marlins closer Leo Nunez, who yesterday threw about 40 pitches and walked and balked in the tying runs with bases loaded that allowed the Mets to tie the game in the eighth, worked a one-two-three ninth for the save. With the loss, the Mets lose the first series of the year and fall to 1-2 on the young season.

Next series probable pitchers:
April 9
Washington Nationals: Garrett Mock (2009: 3-10, 5.62 ERA) vs. New York: Mike Pelfrey (2009: 10-12, 5.03 ERA)
April 10
Washington Nationals: John Lannan (2010: 0-1, 12.27 ERA) vs. New York: Oliver Perez (2009: 3-4, 6.82 ERA)
April 11
Washington Nationals: To be announced vs. New York: Johan Santana (2010: 1-0, 1.50 ERA)

Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
April 9-11 vs. Washington Nationals
April 13-15 @ Colorado Rockies

Washington Nationals:
April 9-11 @ New York Mets
April 12, 14-15 @ Philadelphia Phillies