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It's Third and Long for Reeling Washington
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"I really don't care what people think," Acta said. "We have to do what we have to do, There are times the pitchers have to take it on the chin for their teammates. Everybody knows the situation."
Acta said he is not worried about the state of the bullpen for tonight's game, especially because Garrett Mock can be used after starting on Monday. But Acta needs starter Collin Ballester to last longer.
"I'm not anticipating my starter getting out in the third again tomorrow," Acta said.
With a 10-run, third-inning lead, Mets starter John Maine eased through the Nationals' lineup. The Nationals recorded just one hit off Maine, who walked four and struck out six in five innings in his first start since coming off the disabled list.
The hit came in the second inning from Lastings Milledge, who extended his hitting streak to 14 games. The streak ties Guzmán for the Nationals' longest of the season. Guzmán hit in 14 successive games from June 21 to July 6.
Nationals fans seeking any kind of offensive solace besides Milledge can look to Emilio Bonifacio, the second baseman who two weeks ago was credited for a Nationals revival. Then Bonifacio returned to earth and suffered a 0-for-23 hitting skid, snapped with a single in the eighth inning last night. He also drew his first two walks of the season.
"We got to be patient with the kid," Acta said. "He's here to play. Just about a week or so ago, some people wanted to put him in the Hall of Fame. Let's not bury him now."
It might be revealing, though, that the only glimmer of praise distributed to the Nationals is an otherwise meaningless single in the eighth inning of a game they lost 12-0.
The frustration clearly spilled into the stands, where the only late-inning cheers heard were New Yorkers rallying, "Let's Go, Mets." The Nationals' fans voiced their feelings in the third inning, when resounding boos turned only to cheers upon the conclusion of a gruesome eight-run rally -- a sour turn to a series that started with a close game on Tuesday.
"It counts like one. It doesn't count for two or 12," Acta said. "It was just like [Tuesday]. Just not as pretty."
