WASHINGTON — It was the kind of game the Mets needed. The kind of game that felt more like batting practice than actual competition. Maybe one day, nights like the Mets’ 10-1 win over the Nationals Wednesday night will be more of the norm than the exception.
Until then, it serves as a chance to exhale and feel good again. After four straight losses since their four-game sweep of the Yankees, last night’s laugher at Nationals Park was good medicine.
“We needed a win bad,” manager Terry Collins said. “We’ve certainly been in our share of close games and to have a game where we could take a breath and relax was certainly welcomed and needed.”
It wasn’t just fool’s gold either. Not if you’re an optimist. What you liked most is seeing 24-year-old Juan Lagares finally have a break out game with three consecutive hits, the first being a bunt he hustled into a hit. Though he was batting just .146 coming into the game, Lagares could be the answer to the Mets’ search for production in the outfield. Last night was a positive step in the right direction.
You also had to like Marlon Byrd starting the slugfest with a two-run homer in the second inning. It was the first of two home runs on the night for Byrd, who drove in three runs and scored three. If the Mets are going to be worth watching this season, they will need a few surprises and Byrd was certainly that last night with his first multi-home run game of the season.
You also had to like Anthony Recker, a seldom used catcher who came into the game hitting just .160, but pounded a single and a double and drove in three runs. And then there was Dillon Gee, looking far better than the pitcher who entered the game with a 3-6 record and a 5.68 ERA.
Just to show it wasn’t all about the new faces, David Wright added a two-run homer. By the time it was over, the Mets tied a season-high with 15 hits against a revolving door of Nationals pitchers.
“It was nice to extend the lead and tack on runs,” Wright said.
Yes, it was one of those rare nights when Collins didn’t have to sweat out the ninth inning like he did on Tuesday when closer Bobby Parnell blew a 2-1 lead and the Mets lost, 3-2.
It wasn’t just a win, but a beat down, the kind of walk-over the Mets needed to restore a little confidence. “You feel good about yourself,” Wright said.
Yet, it was the kind of game that makes you wonder where these Mets have been much of this season. They dominated at the plate and in the field behind a splendid performance from Gee, who allowed just one run over seven innings before giving way to Greg Burke and Robert Carson. Gee even drove in a run with a single to left in the seventh inning.
Truth is, the Mets have played two solid games here. Except for Parnell’s brutal ninth-inning Tuesday, the Mets have been the better team for 17 of the 18 innings.
Omar Quintanilla, who came into the game batting .529, also got a hit and made his intentions clear that he’s hoping to be the Mets everyday shortstop even when Ruben Tejada is healthy.
“Definitely,” Quintanilla said before the game. “There’s no giving up. Of course, you want to play every day. But no matter what my role is, I’m going to give 110 percent whenever they need me. That’s just the way I play.”
That’s the kind of talk you want to hear from the Mets. Last night, they played as if they were leading the division and wanted to get payback for what was stolen from them Tuesday night.
Let’s hope they didn’t waste all their hits in one night.