Game three of three in RFK Stadium, Washington, DC features:
Mike Pelfrey (2-7, 5.23) vs Matt Chico (5-8, 4.61)
The Washington Nationals have surprised the New York Mets with two comeback victories right when the Mets needed to win a few games most desperately. The Washington Nationals are far removed from a playoff spot, down early two nights in a row, and still fighting to the very end and in the process putting the Mets in danger of being overtaken in the NL East standings by the surging Philadelphia Phillies.
It took Mike Pelfrey, the Mets arm of the future, 14 starts in the Majors before he recorded his first win on September 1st in Atlanta. The Mets first overall draft pick from 2005, lost 7 straight starts April 13th - July 6th, and registered no decision in the three other starts he made.
Pelfrey's got two appearances against the Nationals in his rookie campaign, one as a starter on July 28th in Shea, where the right-hander gave up 3 runs on 8 hits in 6.0 innings pitched, and he's (1-3) in four road starts giving up 15 hits, 11 runs and 12 walks in 22.1 innings with a 4.03 ERA.
Nationals lefty Matt Chico's ERA against the Mets is nearly a full run above his season average. (5.59 vs NY, 4.61 overall). (1-1) in his two starts against the Mets, Chico's worked 9.2 innings against the NL East's Division Leaders, during which he's allowed 14 hits, 6 runs, 2 HR's and 6 walks.
The walks and Chico's general control issues led to a short stint in the Minors before his September recall. Chico hasn't won a start since July 31st in Cincy. Since then Chico's lost twice and had no decision in his four other starts for the Nationals, but Chico's (5-2) in sixteen starts at RFK where he's given up 96 hits and 44 runs in 87.1 innings, with 25 home runs surrendered, and 35 walks vs 45 K's for a 4.35 ERA at home.
The Mets are reeling. Moises Alou left last night's game with an injury, Carlos Delgado can't get off the DL, Orlando Hernandez's foot is an issue, no one know what Pedro has to offer and the Phillies just keep charging while the Nationals won't give up...
Is anyone watching what could be the biggest collapse in New York Mets history?...