NL Beast

What a great pitchers’ dual today, between two very unlikely hurlers. Mike Pelfrey had a no-hitter going for 6.2, and pitched a gem (7.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO, 100 P). Jason Bergmann pitched out of his mind in his first start back with the parent club after a stint at Triple-A Columbus (7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO, 103 P), combining with Luis Ayala (who picked up his 11th hold of the year) and Jon Rauch (who picked up his 9th save) to shut out the lifeless Mets offense.

Aaron Boone broke through for the Nationals in the seventh, and was promptly thrown out by Ramon Castro in a bid to steal second base. Jesus Flores subsequently hit his way on base and was driven home by Felipe Lopez.

The Mets looked to rally in the ninth, but were shut down on two great defensive plays. After Carlos Beltran singled to start off the inning, Ryan Church fouled a ball out to left. Willie Harris ran the ball down and made a spectacular catch for the first out. Next up was Carlos Delgado, who lined a ball directly to Rauch, who lined the ball back to third where he caught Beltran (who was running) for the last out.

David Wright and Jose Reyes combined to go 1-8 today. Some serious problems are afoot for the Mets, who are headed to the Bronx tomorrow to face as Johan Santana squares off with Darrell Rasner in the Subway Series. If there was ever a time for the stopper, it is now. Shawn Hill and the Nationals head to Baltimore to face Garrett Olsen and the red-hot Orioles in the Battle of the Beltway tomorrow night.