Mets Take Series From Nationals With Win in Finale
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

WASHINGTON – Mike Piazza drove in the go-ahead run in the 11th inning with his third hit, and the Mets handed the Nationals their first series loss at home since April by beating Washington 3-2 yesterday.
Returning from a night off, Piazza went 3-for-5 with two RBI, including the run-scoring single off Luis Ayala (7-5) that gave the Mets three wins in the four-game series. New York also snapped the Nationals’ 12-game winning streak in one-run games, three shy of the major league record.
“I don’t necessarily feel like the first day of spring, but I feel better,” said Piazza, who tied Howard Johnson for second on the Mets’ career RBI list with 629. “It’s pitch selection. If I’m able to lay off the bad pitches, I’ll get better swings.”
Words the Nationals wish they had lived by. Washington entered the week having won six straight games overall and 15 of 16 at RFK Stadium. But they managed only 10 runs against the Mets, repeatedly failing in the clutch.
Yesterday, the Nationals did all their scoring in the third inning on Jose Vidro’s two-RBI double off Mets starter Kris Benson.
“We had opportunities. All we had to do was take advantage and execute a little better in this series and we could have very easily won three of four ourselves,” Nationals manager Frank Robinson said.
His team put runners on first and third with one out in the second, but Marlon Byrd grounded into a double play. It got Matt Cepicky’s leadoff double in the fifth, but starter Tony Armas Jr. failed to get a sacrifice down and fouled off a bunt attempt with two strikes. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded and two out, Carlos Baerga hit a comebacker on a borderline 3-2 pitch.
Washington had runners at first and second with one out in the ninth, and failed to score.
With two on and one out in the 11th, Piazza lifted a blooper that fell in between second base and right field, scoring Carlos Beltran. Guillen threw home too late, but catcher Brian Schneider threw to second to get Piazza. Shortstop Jamey Carroll threw back home to get Floyd at the plate to end the inning on a 9-2-6-2 double play.
The bottom of the 11th was delayed while Robinson argued with crew chief Joe West after the Mets sent Heath Bell (1-3) out to the mound to warm up, then replaced him with closer Braden Looper.
Looper recorded the final three outs for his 20th save. Bell pitched two scoreless innings of one-hit ball for his first major league win.
“It’s good to get that monkey off your back,” Bell said. “It’s definitely a confidence-booster, especially going into tight games in the future.”
The Mets tied it at 2 in the fourth on Piazza’s RBI double.
“Mike’s always been a professional hitter, a clutch player. When people started calling for his head, I don’t hear all that,” manager Willie Randolph said. “Mike’s got a track record. I hope he gets hot. He’s been struggling a little bit.”
New York’s first run came in the first inning without a hit. Armas walked Jose Reyes, who stole second, moved up on Cameron’s bunt, and scored on Beltran’s groundout.
“We’re playing better,” said Piazza, 0-for-8 in the series before yesterday. “From our standpoint, we’re not thinking about anything except getting above .500.”