Two Pros Diverge: Mets, Santana Top Nats, Redding

That brought up Santana, who had already doubled in his first at-bat off Redding. But the result in the fifth might have been worse. With Santana squared to bunt, Redding couldn't throw strikes, eventually walking him on a 3-2 pitch.

"It shouldn't have even gotten to 3-2 to the pitcher," Nationals Manager Manny Acta said. "Should have just let him bunt on the first or the second one. That's an out. When they're giving you an out, especially the pitcher, you should have it."

Redding knew it.

"I absolutely forgot how to throw strikes for two batters," Redding said. "Especially the eight hole and the pitcher's spot, you should be able to close your eyes and throw strikes at this stage of the game."

Redding couldn't, and Schneider eventually scored the tying run on Luis Castillo's infield single. Redding lasted one batter in the disastrous sixth -- an inning in which third baseman Ryan Zimmerman threw one ball away and reliever Ray King flubbed another dribbler -- and the outcome was determined. Santana didn't allow another hit after Redding's double, and the Nationals' third-through-sixth hitters combined to go 0 for 15.

"We're playing bad baseball," King said.

The Mets' bullpen offered the Nationals nothing else. Thus, the box score shows Santana with the win, Redding with the loss -- and nothing of their shared history, nor the paths that led them to the same mound on the same night.