The Mets got to Brian Bruney and Tyler Clippard Tuesday as New York erupted for six runs in the eighth inning that turned a 6-1 lead into an 8-6 loss. Bruney did not record an out but allowed 3 runs, 2 earned on 2 hits in the eighth. Clippard recorded only a strikeout to Jeff Francoeur in his worst outing of the season, giving up 4 hits and 3 earned runs. It seems recently that the Nats have been getting away with problems in the seventh inning because the starters have been able to get to that point, or seventh inning-by-committee hasn't forced them to lose the game.

Tonight, the Mets had no trouble making contact with Nats pitches to the tune of 16 hits. It did not seem it was something that would be a major concern because the Nats did a pretty good job through seven innings of scattering base runners. New York managed just two runs despite getting 10 hits. Scott Olsen had another solid outing, allowing only 2 runs on 9 hits in 5 1/3 innings of work. Olsen threw 82 pitches and 55 for strikes. It was great to see Adam Dunn smack a three-run HR and Pudge Rodriguez a two-run single as the Nats put together a 6-1 lead that on most nights should have been good enough to win. Pitching-wise, Tyler Walker and Miguel Batista did well, but the bottom line was that Tuesday was a bad night for Bruney and Clippard. What would Drew Storen mean to the bullpen? He could be more important than Stephen Strasburg at this very moment because of the problems the relievers are having right now. One thing they must do is bounce back quickly because the turnaround game is 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, then a long trip to what will most likely be snowy Denver.