Those Mets

METS WASTE NIESE'S QUALITY START
WRIGHT GOES 0-FOR-4 IN METS LOSS

The Mets' 2010 season is far too young for any labeling, but after three games -- and two losses -- they could improve their timing. Though they pitched well enough to beat the Marlins on Thursday, they scored enough to lose, 3-1 -- opposite of Wednesday night, when they scored enough to win, but allowed seven runs. Starting pitcher Jon Niese allowed three runs in six innings, and his relief -- Ryota Igarashi, Hisanori Takahashi, Fernando Nieve and Pedro Feliciano -- provided three scoreless innings. But one night after scoring six times without a run-scoring hit, the Mets did next to nothing against left-hander Nate Robinson -- recently acquired from the Tigers -- and relievers Burke Badenhop and Leo Nunez. Niese, elevated to the No. 3 position in the rotation, was quite competent, allowing runs in the first, fifth and sixth innings. The Marlins amassed eight hits, two of them doubles by nemesis Jorge Cantu, against him. He walked two and struck out three. Dan Uggla drove in the run in the first, Cantu one in the fifth and Gaby Sanchez one in the sixth. That was more than enough to offset the run the Mets scored in the fourth on a leadoff single by Jason Bay and a double -- it ricocheted off the tarpaulin roll beyond third base -- by Jeff Francoeur. Robertson allowed six hits, two each by Francoeur and Angel Pagan, and no walks. Badenhop pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one baserunner. (Mets.com)