New York Mets beat Washington Nationals 2-0 in Grapefruit League contest - MLB Update
Dillon Gee shines on the mound as he helps New York Mets in their 2-0 win against Washington Nationals in a low scoring Grapefruit League encounter played at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida on March 20, 2012.
Not conceding a run in over five innings Gee pitched, he brought four strike-outs. Nationals were near handicapped before him as they managed just three hits on scores of pitches he threw at them.
Win for the Mets came at a time when their co-owners have just survived a massive financial crises after deal was agreed in the court, keeping the club immune to an enormous cash outflow for at least four years.
Reports are coming that now club will have more leeway in spending money. Come the trade season and one will see them as aggressive as other clubs in making new buys.
Earlier club lost their star shortstop Jose Reyes to Miami Marlins owing to shortage of cash, as many believe. Fear was club will have a tough time in the regular season under a likely impact of their financial crises on the team's performance.
As for their today's performance, not only Mets' starter, their relievers and closer Chuck James, Jon Rauch and Bobby Parnell also went scoreless in their time on the mound.
Both teams saw limited numbers of hits and runs made and if it was not for a home-run by Lucas Duda and a run completed by Mets' infielder Jason Bay, the game could easily tie.
Nationals can take solace from the fact that their starter Stephen Strasburg has started returning to his best. Though he ended up conceding a home-run, he stayed on the mound for five innings tireless and brought three strike-outs.
"He pitched with much better command, didn't overthrow and he threw some quality pitches," said Nationals manager Davey Johnson. "He had better feel later in the game with his breaking ball. He stayed within himself and pitched, and that's what I want to
see. ... I saw what I wanted to see. He is right where he needs to be."
Victory has boosted Mets’ confidence and the fact, off-field issues about cash-strapped nature of the club have been largely resolved, one can expect a much improved show in the regular season from them.
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