Roger Bernadina 'Berns' Mets In Finale

NEW YORK-- The Mets would have loved to come away with a winning home stand after losing a couple of games. They had the clear pitching advantage and were playing with some confidence after Tuesday night's thrilling win. Little did they know that a kid named Roger Bernadina would have himself a career day.

When the misty, 45 degree day began, Mike Pelfrey started out strong. He struck out the side in order in the first inning. It was the second inning that he got into some trouble. After allowing a leadoff double to Adam Dunn, Cristian Guzman moved him to third with a single. Mets' defensive killer Willie Harris walked to load the bases with nobody out. He did get a much needed strikeout of Roger Bernadina (remember that name) to set up a double play chance with the catcher coming up. He struck out Wil Nieves, giving him a huge chance to get out of the inning unscathed with pitcher Craig Stammen due up. Unfortuanately, he came up an out short as Stammen lined a hit past a diving David Wright at third to bring in two runs.

The Mets though, who have shown a knack lately of coming right back, did just so in the bottom of the inning. David Wright led off the second with a walk and Ike Davis singled. Later on, with one out, Rod Barajas was intentionally walked ahead of Mike Pelfrey. Pelfrey answered Stammen with a hit of his own, plating a run. Angel Pagan then tied the game at two with a sacrifice fly to left.

In the fourth inning, after getting the first two outs, Roger Bernadina homered to right to give the Nationals a 3-2 lead. After a Wil Nieves double, the pitcher Stammen once again singled, driving in a run, extending the Nats lead to 4-2.

The Mets would come right back in the fifth. Angel Pagan doubled, Alex Cora singled him in. Reyes followed with a game-tying double to knot the score at 4-4. The Mets would later load the bases for Jeff Francoeur, who was robbed of a potential three-run extra-base hit by guess who? Roger Bernadina in right field to end the inning.

After some nice bullpen work by both teams, the game remained tied going to the ninth. In that inning, Francisco Rodriguez put a man on with one out. Up stepped who else? Roger Bernadina. Are you sick of that name already? Well, then take this: he cracked a 440+ foot home run in to the bullpen to give the Nationals a 6-4 lead.

The Mets went down quietly against Nats perfect closer Matt Capps in the home ninth, as they went on to lose the game and series to Washington.

Now the Mets will embark on an 8-game road trip to Florida, Atlanta, and Washington to meet Roger Bernadina again. With the loss, the Mets fall behind the Nationals again, with a record of 18-16.

Next series probable pitchers:
May 13
New York: Johan Santana (2010: 3-2, 4.54 ERA) vs. Florida: Josh Johnson (2010: 3-2, 3.35 ERA)
May 14
New York: Oliver Perez (2010: 0-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. Florida: Anibal Sanchez (2010: 1-2, 4.08 ERA)
May 15 
New York: John Maine (2010: 1-2, 5.45 ERA) vs. Florida: Nate Robertson (2010: 3-3, 4.54 ERA)
May 16
New York: Jon Niese (2010: 1-1, 4.58 ERA) vs. Florida: TBD

Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
May 13-16 @ Florida Marlins
May 17-18 @ Atlanta Braves

Florida Marlins:
May 13-16 vs. New York Mets
May 17-18 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks