Mets 6 - 3 Nationals
Final
  for this game

Murphy, Mets rally for sixth straight win

Apr 28, 2011 - 7:29 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Daniel Murphy ripped a two-run double during a four-run ninth inning the New York Mets used to record a 6-3 victory over Washington in the second of a three-game series from Nationals Park.

Murphy had also blasted a game-tying solo homer in the eighth in a pinch-hit appearance. The Mets fell behind again, but loaded the bases to begin their final at-bat, then tied the game on a sacrifice fly from pinch-hitter Chin- Lung Hu. Josh Thole knocked in the decisive run with a groundout to short before Murphy created some breathing room.

"You got to give Murphy credit tonight," Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said. "He hurt us twice tonight. He's a tough out to deal with."

Sean Burnett (0-1) suffered the blown save and the loss for the Nationals, who have dropped six of seven. He allowed four runs, four hits and a walk in the ninth.

The Mets have won a season-high six straight games, climbing over the Nationals and out of the National League East cellar in the process.

Nationals' starter Tom Gorzelanny performed well in the no decision. The Mets took a 1-0 lead on a two-out RBI single from Justin Turner in the second, but did not generate another run in Gorzelanny's 6 1/3 innings of work. He allowed five hits and struck out four over that span.

Washington tied the game, 1-1, in the fourth, as Michael Morse sailed a sacrifice fly to deep right field, scoring Jayson Werth. In the sixth, Rick Ankiel's third double of the season knocked in Alex Cora, providing the Nationals with their first lead.

In all, Mets starter R.A. Dickey allowed just two runs in 6 2/3 innings pitched.

"I'm just trying to take ownership to what I can bring to the team," Dickey said. "That's to not walk guys and keep us in ballgames late."

In the eighth, Jose Reyes ripped a Ryota Igarashi offering into the left- center gap. Attempting to stretch the play into a triple, Reyes appeared to slide safely into third. Jerry Hairston Jr. applied the late tag and umpire Marvin Hudson, wrongly believing that Reyes' hand left the bag, called the irate shortstop out. Murphy, the next batter, promptly deposited a ball over the right field fence, tying the game at two.

In the home half of the eighth, the National responded. Adam LaRoche led off with a blooper down the left field line. Jason Bay slid under the ball, but was unable to hang on, and LaRoche was able to reach second as Murphy, who remained in the game as a second baseman, failed to cover the bag in time. After advancing to third on a passed ball, LaRoche was replaced by pinch- runner Brian Bixler, who crossed the plate courtesy of Wilson Ramos' sac fly.

Bixler's run only delayed the inevitable, however, as the Mets decisively put the game away in the top of the ninth.

Pedro Beato (1-0) picked up the win for New York and Francisco Rodriguez picked up his sixth save of the season with a scoreless ninth.

Game Notes

Ike Davis extended hitting streak to a career-high nine games...Rodriguez has not allowed a run in eight of his last nine appearances...Washington is the only team in the league this season to receive at least five innings from its starter in every game.






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