Bullpen Ruins Bannister Debut

It didn't take long, did it?

Brian Bannister pitched as advertised, holding the the Nationals hitless into the 6th when he was touched up for 3 runs. He left the game leading 4-3 and was the pitcher of record. His job was done and done well.  Duaner Sanchez came in and pitched a scoreless seventh, retiring the side in order. Aaron Heilman came in in the 8th and held the lead another inning for Bannister. Then....

The wheels came flying off.  Billy Wagner took the mound to Metallica's "Enter Sandman". The leadoff batter, Washington 3B Ryan Zimmerman, crushed a high Wagner fastball into the left field stands to tie the game.  That pitch is usually unhittable, but Zimmerman guessed right and Wagner blew his first save as a Met. What happened next on this chilly night (it was snowing all morning here) is most disturbing. Jorge Julio just imploded in the 10th inning, giving up 5 runs including a 2-run HR to Jose Guillen. Horrible.

Anna Benson must be having a nice chuckle over this. We traded one set of ***** for another.