Oliver Perez Stunk as Mets Fell Short 4-3 to Nationals in Reyes’ Return to Citi Field Saturday

The New York Mets lost yesterday 4-3 to the Washington Nationals in front of a nice home crowd of more then 33.000. They came out to see Jose Reyes return to the lineup. Well starting pitcher Oliver Perez showed what he will be again this year and was brutal in the loss. Perez gave up 4 earned runs, on 4 hits, 4 walks with 6 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. If this is a sign to come it will be a long season for Perez and the Mets. There’s a reason why manager Jerry Manuel played the shell game with the starting pitching staff and made Perez the #5 starter. In Reyes’ first game since May 2009 he went 1-for-4, 1 strikeout, hit by pitch, left on base twice with 1 error in the field. The Met bullpen was excellent and the only bright spot for the Mets last night. The combination of Igarashi, Feliciano and Mejia were brilliant giving up no earned runs, on only 1 hit, 2 walks with 2 strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. In the bottom of the 9th inning with Reyes on third, David Wright on second and Jeff Francoeur on first the pinch hitter Rob Barajas drilled the ball to left field. Willie Harris made a game saving catch to give the Nationals the win. The Met ace Johan Santana will pitch today in an effort to not lose their second series in a row. The Mets had a golden opportunity to go 4-2 to start the season but will now try to get to .500 at 3-3.