Nats lose day game of Mets double-header 3-1 OR Duelling with El Duque

Nationals starter Tim Redding had a brilliant outing today against the New York Mets, going 6 innings, spelling the bullpen a little, and allowing only 1 run on 5 hits, walked 4 but tied his personal strikeout high with 8.

Unfortunately, New York's Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, had an even better day.

Hernandez worked 7 innings and only gave up a solo homerun to Felipe Lopez, walking 2 but also striking out 8, as the Mets won 3-1 in game 1 of the day/night double-header.

There really isn't much to say about this game from a Nats standpoint. Redding was freakin' brilliant, going toe-to-toe with the Mets, in what was an exciting pitcher's duel, if you are as into that sort of thing as I am. Redding threw 64 strikes on 106 pitches (60%) and kept the Nats in the game, giving them chances to score meaningful runs. I can't wait to see his next start.

The game fell apart for the Nats when reliever Saul Rivera, normally a much more dependable reliever, allowed 2 runs on 3 hits in the 7th, and the Nats fell behind 3-1. All the Mets had to do was hold on for closer Billy Wagner in the 9th, and they did, and Wagner shut down any Nationals hopes for a 9th inning rally.

Ryan Report: Fugghedaboudit.

As I type this, the Nats are ahead 3-0 in the night game. Fingers crossed, hoping for the best.