The Happy Recap: Mets 6, Nationals 3

John Maine once again showed that he is the true No. 2 starter on this team, throwing another quality start while sending a message to the Nationals with the game's first pitch. Other than Johan, there's no one Mets fans have more confidence in.

Maine (5-2) allowed just two runs on two hits with a walk and five Ks in six innings of work. He's allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last seven starts. The last Met to do that? Masato Yoshii, of course!

Maine also got a little payback when he hit leadoff batter Felipe Lopez with the first pitch of the game, in an apparent retaliation for the Nationals' juvenile antics the night before, which aggravated Nelson Figueroa. Maine's response? "It slipped." Who's got your back?

Then there's Ryan Church, who homered to the top hat and drove in four runs, two on a double and one more on a sac fly. The double was a laser over the head of a startled Austin Kearns, who should have made the play. Fellow former Nat Brian Schneider had three hits, while Alou and Wright had two hits each. Lastings Milledge made a terrific play at the centerfield wall on a drive by Carlos Delgado, who also had a bunt single.

Matt Wise made his return and pitched the seventh, while Duaner Sanchez had a shaky yet scoreless eighth. Billy Wagner was money again for his eighth save.

The Mets still left nine men on base after leaving 11 on base Monday, and Willie pointed out that it's a bad trend that has to stop. Meanwhile, Angel Pagan went on the DL, replaced by Fernando Tatis. Claudio Vargas will pitch Wednesday while Figueroa and Jorge Sosa were designated for assignment. Luis Castillo could yet end up on the DL, again.