The New York Mets wasted a quality start last night in the loss to the Washington Nationals . The two teams entered the night tied for second place in the National League East .

John Maine took the mound for the Mets and put together a very nice outing. Maine went six strong innings for New York, giving up two runs on seven hits. The two runs came on back-to-back solo home runs by Adam Kennedy and Ryan Zimmerman in the third inning.

Maine walked four batters but struck out five in the no decision. Most would think if your pitcher holds the Nationals to two runs through six innings, you should win. Not the case last night, as the Mets lineup struggled to put anything together against Nationals rookie Luis Atilano. New York managed just five hits off Atilano in 51/3 innings.

The Mets would score a run in the seventh and a run on the ninth on a Angel Pagan solo homer but the rally would be short lived ending on a Jason Bay strike out. The Mets had 12 hits in the game, but left 11 runners on base. Seven of those runners were left in scoring position.

The Mets bench was rather unproductive once again. Gary Matthews Jr. and Frank Catalanotto   each had a pinch hit appearance in the game. Matthews Jr. , struck out when pinch hitting for pitcher Hisanori Takahaski and is now batting just .136 on the season. Catalanotto led off the ninth by pinch hitting for pitcher Jenrry Mejia. Catalanotto promptly grounded out for the first out.

Find out what roster move was made, visit Double G Sports .

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