Mets Top Nats Behind El Duque, Gotay, 3-1

By Joe Janish
Posted Saturday, July 28, 2007

FLUSHING, N.Y. -- Orlando Hernandez was brilliant. And, he had to be.

El Duque pitched seven innings and allowed only one run on three hits and two walks, striking out eight. The only run came via a Felipe Lopez solo homer.

The Mets hitters, however, curiously struggled against Tim Redding, who has mysteriously thrown yet another good game in his “born again” season. Redding struck out eight batters and gave up only one earned run on five hits in six innings. When he left the game, the score was tied 1-1, with the only Met run coming via an RBI double by Lastings Milledge in the fourth.

Redding’s exit, however, was the best thing to happen to the Mets. The Sheasters pounced on reliever Saul Rivera for two runs on three hits and a walk, with the runs scoring on singles by Ruben Gotay and Carlos Delgado.

Aaron Heilman pitched another scoreless inning to bridge the gap to Billy Wagner, who saved his 24th ballgame with a perfect ninth.

Notes

Gotay was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Reyes also had two hits and a run scored. David Wright walked three times.

Next Game

The nightcap begins at 7:10 PM. Mike Pelfrey goes against Joel Hanrahan.

Read more from Joe Janish at: www.metstoday.com