Remembering Mets History (2012) Daniel Murphy's Walk Off Single Gives Mets a 4-0 Start to the Season

Monday April 9th, 2012: Terry Collins New York Mets got off to a good start in 2012 having swept the Atlanta Braves in the opening series at home to go 3-0 out of the gate.

Today they hosted the Washington Nationals (2-2) who were led by former 1986 Mets World Champion Manager Davey Johnson who was now at the helm for the Nat's. 

Davey Trivia: Davey Johnson who was 69 years old at the time, was managing his fifth team. Mets (1984-1990) Reds (1993-1995) Orioles (1996-1997) & Dodgers (1999-2000) After an eleven-year break he returned to manage the Nationals from 2011-2013.

A crowd of 23,970 came out on a April chilly night at Citi Field as the Mets Mike Pelfrey took on the Nat's Edwin Jackson.

In the top of the 1st, after striking out Ian Desmond, Mike Pelfrey surrendered three straight singles with Adam LaRoche's RBI giving the Nat's a 1-0 lead. 

In the top of the 3rd, Desmond singled then Ryan Zimmerman doubled making it 2-0. 

Ryan Zimmerman Trivia: In his career Zim drove in 115 runs against the Mets, second most (tied with the Phillies) than any other opponent.

Next, Adam LaRoche singled to left scoring Zimmerman giving the Nationals a 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the 3rd, Mets pitcher  Pelfrey helped his own cause with a leadoff double. It was Pelfry's fifth career double. David Wright brought him in with a base hit for the Mets first run. It was Wright's fourth RBI thru the first four games.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, Mets catcher Josh Thole drew a two out walk. Kirk Nieuwenhuis then hit a two run HR off Edwin Jackson to tie up the game at three.

In the 6th inning, the Nat's threatened with two outs as Jesus Flores & pinch hitter Xavier Nady both singled. Mets reliever Miguel Batista came on to relieve Pelfrey who left in a 3-3 tie. Pelfrey had given up ten hits while striking out eight on the evening. 

Batista struck out Ian Desmond to end the inning.

In the top of the 8th, with  two outs & runner on first, Daniel Murphy made a fine defensive play to get the third out of the inning at second base.

The Mets bullpen of Ramon Ramirez & Jon Rauch got them to the 9th inning holding the 3-3 tie. For Washington, Tom Gorzelanny pitched 2.2 scoreless innings getting them to the 9th inning as well. In the bottom of the 9th, Henry Rodriguez came on for the save but got into trouble right away.

Mets pinch hitter & Queens native Mike Baxter drew a leadoff walk. Then, Ruben Tejada laid down a bunt, Henry Rodriguez retrieved the ball then threw wildly to first base. The ball got by Danny Espinosa who had been covering first. 

Mike Baxter was initially waved home by Mets third base coach Tim Teufel but then was stopped. Baxter slipped on the turf rounding third but managed to get back safely. 

Next was Daniel Murphy, who had gone 1-4 with a 2nd inning single. c

Walk Off Single: Murph came through with a single to right field scoring Mike Baxter with the winning run. Murphy's walk off hit gave the Mets a 4-3 win as the team started out the season at 5-0. It was Murph's second career walk off hit.

2012 Mets Trivia: After starting out 4-0 the Mets would drop the next two to Washington. They would go 6-2 thru their first eight games & end April at 13-10.