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NEW YORK - The bottom of the eighth inning at Citi Field had two of the first three Mets batters getting hit by a pitch and the fourth hitting into a ground ball that resulted in a runner's interference call. The fifth batter of the inning was All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez, who'd never had a career at-bat - and looked like it. And at the end of it, the Mets had added two runs to their lead over the Nationals, making it 8-4.
Jose Reyes doubled to left off Doug Slaten, driving in two runs and extending the Mets' lead to 8-4. The Nationals nearly got out of the inning after Ike Davis stepped in front of Ian Desmond on Josh Thole's grounder up the middle, preventing a run from scoring. But that break wasn't enough to spare the Nationals when Slaten gave up the hit to Reyes.
It's another rough night for the lower half of the Nationals' bullpen; Broderick threw 48 pitches in 1 2/3 innings, and has retired just six of the 16 batters he's faced this season. And Slaten allowed a pair of inherited runners to score; though he's got a 0.00 ERA this year, he's allowed five of the 11 hitters he's faced to reach base. The Nationals might have to do something to add more depth to their bullpen in the near future if this keeps up; Slaten has an option, and though that would leave the Nationals without a lefty specialist, Tyler Clippard's changeup essentially makes him function like another lefty. It's something they'll have to think about if this keeps up.
Update:
The game has gone final. The Mets hold on for an 8-4 win over the Nationals, setting up a rubber match tomorrow at 1:10.
