Harris Robs Mets Of Win In Ollie's Debut

NEW YORK-- Entering the game, the Mets had two big stories going. One was the long-awaited return of star shortstop Jose Reyes. The other was to see how well Oliver Perez would do in his 2010 debut. It turned out to be neither, in fact it had nothing to do with a Mets player.

Nationals left fielder Willie Harris, who didn't even start the game, robbed Mets catcher Rod Barajas, who didn't even start the game, of a walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth with the Mets trailing 4-3 with bases loaded and two out to preserve the win for Washington.

First though, it was all about Jose Reyes' return. He had more bad than good in his season debut as at the plate, he went 1-for-4 with a hit by pitch. On the field, he made a surprising error at shortstop when he had a line drive hit by Nationals starting catcher Ivan Rodriguez go right over his glove for an inning-continuing misplay in the sixth.

Reyes did spark a Mets rally in the ninth as he led off that inning with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Alex Cora but was stranded at third after Harris' amazing diving catch in left.

Meanwhile, Oliver Perez was extremely inconsistent in his debut as he went 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits, while walking four. He also struck out six.

Just like Mike Pelfrey the night before, he got into trouble in the second when he allowed a two-run triple to Willie Taveras. In the fourth he allowed two more runs on a two-run single to Taveras.

The Mets responded in the second with a sac fly by catcher Henry Blanco making his Mets debut and an RBI single by Perez himself that tied the game at two. A Fernando Tatis RBI single in the fifth closed the gap to 4-3.

The Mets bullpen, which once again shined, kept them in the game with another 3 1/3 shutout innings.

The Mets would fall one run short in the ninth as after Reyes' single and Cora's sacrifice bunt moved him to second, Wright walked, Jason Bay struck out and Rod Barajas was robbed by Willie Harris to the end the game.

The Mets will now play the rubber game tomorrow with their ace Johan Santana on the mound opposing former Met starter Livan Hernandez.

Series probable pitchers:
April 11
Washington Nationals: Livan Hernandez (2009: 9-12, 5.44 ERA) vs. New York: Johan Santana (2010: 1-0, 1.50 ERA)

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

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