Mets Winning Streak Up to 5

Did anyone think just a week ago that the Mets were capable of winning five games in a row? The starting pitching was terrible, the bullpen was atrocious and the defense was amateurish. The hitting was okay. But now it is all turned around.

The Mets won their fifth straight Tuesday night, beating the Nationals 6-4. It was a night where the starting pitching faltered — Chris Young (left), fresh off the disabled list, had his first poor start of the season lasting just 4.2 innings. He allowed three long solo home runs.

But in a good sign, the rest of the team picked him up. The offense teed-off on Nationals pitching for six runs and 12 hits. Ike Davis and Jason Bay continued their hot streaks, with three and two hits respectively. Daniel Murphy added two hits, and Josh Thole and three RBIs.

Carlos Beltran is looking much better. He only had one hit, but he was robbed on two hard-hit balls to the outfield.

As far as the bullpen, Taylor Buchholz pitched two scoreless innings and K-Rod picked up his fifth save.

*****

A telling moment in the ninth inning that bodes well for the future. There were runners on second and third with Murphy due up to face tough lefty Sean Burnett. Even though Murphy already had two hits in the game, I wouldn’t have been shocked if Terry Collins pinch hit a righty for him, since Collins seems to be a strictly by-the-book manager. But he didn’t. Murphy ended up getting hit by a pitch, but it was nice to see Collins have faith in Murphy against a lefthander.