New York Mets  4  Washington Nationals  3

By all comparatives it would be a trivial lie in anybody's throat if it was to be said that this game was one of the best that Santana had starring in since he has been with the Mets and therefore it has to be said that, within the compass of his range of abilities, his deliveries were lacking corrective discipline as he conceded two runs in the first inning to allow the Nationals to make the game even after the Mets had given him a two runs lead. Nevertheless, Santana never ebbed back and did not wilt under the weight of expectation since the ever-burning light from which he draws his talent saw him through, upon the instant, in the smoke of inconvenience as he went on to pitch seven more innings conceding a further run and striking out six batters. Indeed, he neglected no opportunity to impress and like a hawk on the mound he swooped down on every batter and completely spoiled their pretensions. Albeit, the Mets were ahead at Santana's departure from the game in the eighth inning the game needed to be won and while the elements of belief, alarm, dread, fire and water, and responsibility rested on a weak bullpen, there was apprehension all around the Mets' dugout. However, it appeared that Jerry Manuel, the manager, had sounded the warning to the bullpen with determination and sense of the words as Pedro Feliciano drew the short straw to follow Santana on the mound. He responded to the call in the most impressive manner as he retired the three batters he pitched to, striking out two in the process to close the game for the Mets. Final score: Mets  4   Nationals 3

P. Figueras