The Washington Nationals dropped the Rubber Match game against the New York Mets 6-3 in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. It was Nationals starter Livan Hernandez's last start of 2011 and perhaps as a Nationals player and he did not help the odds of victory himself.
Hernandez pitched two solid innings before giving up a two-RBI single to Ruben Tejada in the third. The Nationals were able to take the lead in the third thanks to a Danny Espinosa and Wilson Ramos hitting RBI doubles and Chris Marrero hitting his first MLB RBI, a ground out that scored Rick Ankiel. Hernandez then fell apart in the sixth inning after Lucas Duda hit a solo home run. Hernandez ended up loading the bases before being pulled by manager Davey Johnson for Todd Coffey. Coffey would allow three of the inherited runners to score.
Hernandez's final line was five innings pitched, six runs on eight hits, one walk and one strike out. Hernandez no doubt wanted to go out guns ablazing, but unfortunately he blazed towards his 13th loss of the season.
The Nationals fall to 64-74 on the season.