On the Mets beat

Mets (62-56) vs. Nationals (44-75)

Johan Santana (9-7, 2.85) vs. Odalis Perez (5-8, 4,10)

The Mets bullpen continues to crumble, but hopse that a trip to Washington to play the last place Nationals will be at least a temporary remedy. The Mets made not have to see much of the leaky pen if Johan Santana continues to sparkle, something that hasn't kept relievers from blowing games for him though.

Santana pitched well against the Padres on Thursday, but his 10th win eluded him because of the Mets' bullpen. Thursday marked the sixth time the bullpen has cost him a victory. Santana gave up just four hits through seven-plus innings and held San Diego to two runs, recording seven strikeouts with three walks. Santana threw over 100 pitches for his fourth straight start. He gave up just two runs on seven hits through seven innings in his last start against the Nationals.

Odalis Perez had another impressive performance last Thursday in game two of a doubleheader against Colorado. He threw six innings of two-run baseball and walked just one. Perez threw 96 pitches, 62 for strikes, as the Nationals picked up a 6-3 win over Colorado to sweep the doubleheader.

Joseph Staszewski is here to take you through all the action.

METS 4, NATIONALS 3

Bottom of the Ninth: Feliciano come in to get the Nationals in order for the save.

Top of the Ninth: Mets go 1-2-3.

Bottom of the Eighth: Joe Smith comes in to pitch. He gives a lead-off single to Kearns, but gets out of the inning without a run scoring.

Top of the Eighth: Easley is hit on the helmet with the bases loaded to score Wright. Schneider pinch hits for Santana with the bases loaded and two outs, but strikes out. METS 4, NATIONALS 3

Bottom of the Seventh: Langerhans homers to right center. METS 3, NATIONALS 3

Top of the Seventh: Mets go 1-2-3.

Bottom of the Sixth: Milledge singles and then reaches second on an error, but Santana gets out of the inning with out giving up a run.

Top of the Sixth: Mets get just a two-out single by Easley

Bottom of the Fifth: Nationals get just a two-out walk from Kearns.

Top of the Fifth: The Mets strand Reyes at second with one out.

Bottom of the Fourth: Santana sees the first two batters reach base, but gets a double play to get out of trouble.

Top of the Fourth: Mets are set down in order.

Bottom of the Third: Nationals go 1-2-3.

Top of the Third: Beltran doubles in Wright, who had doubled, with two outs. METS 3, NATIONALS 2

Bottom of the Second: Nats get a lead-off double by Willie Harris, but do not score him because of the benefit of a close call at first on the third out.

Top of the Second: Mets go in order.

Bottom of the First: Ryan Zimmerman singles home Christian Guzman. Flores singles in Kearns. Santana gives up four hits in the inning. METS 2, NATIONALS 2

Top of the First: Deldago's two-run single drives in Evans and Beltran. METS 2, NATIONALS 0