Espinosa powers Nationals to win over Mets

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09/06/2010 - Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Danny Espinosa had the best game of his very young career as he hit a grand slam and a solo home run to lead the Washington Nationals to a 13-3 rout of the New York Mets in the opener of a three-game set.

Espinosa, playing just the fifth game of his career after joining the team on September 1, went 4-for-5 with six RBI for the Nationals, who have won three straight. Ivan Rodriguez drove in three runs, while Roger Bernadina scored three times in the win.

Jordan Zimmermann went just four innings in the start and was charged with three runs -- one earned -- on three hits with four walks and two strikeouts. Scott Olsen (4-8) worked four innings of hitless ball to pick up the win.

Josh Thole drove in two runs for the Mets, who have lost six of their last eight. Mike Pelfrey (13-9) was tagged for six runs on five hits with three walks over 3 2/3 innings.

The Mets got on the board in the first inning with a pair of runs. Angel Pagan led off with a single and promptly stole second. Two batters later, Chris Carter beat out an infield single and David Wright followed with a sacrifice fly to score Pagan. After a pair of walks loaded the bases, Thole worked a free pass to score Carter for a 2-0 lead.

The Mets added a run in the third inning on an RBI single from Thole that plated Carter for a 3-0 lead.

Washington got one back in the third when Espinosa led off the frame with a shot over the left field wall.

In the fourth, the Nationals surged ahead with a five-run frame. After consecutive one-out walks, Rodriguez doubled to chase home both runners. Mike Morse then singled to give Washington the lead. Later in the inning, Nyjer Morgan singled to bring home Morse and a walk with the bases loaded by Kevin Mench gave the team a 6-3 lead.

Washington tacked on another run in the fifth as Espinosa's single to center plated Bernadina for a 7-3 advantage.

The Nationals added another five runs in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly from Rodriguez and a grand slam off the bat of Espinosa for a 12-3 lead.

Ryan Zimmerman's RBI single in the seventh made it a 13-3 contest.

Game Notes

Washington has taken eight of the 13 games against New York this season...Before the game, the Mets brought up pitchers Dillon Gee, Sean Green and Raul Valdes and outfielder Jesus Feliciano from Triple-A Buffalo. Gee will start Tuesday's game as Johan Santana was scratched from his scheduled start with a strained pectoral muscle...Washington right fielder Willie Harris left the game after crashing into the outfield wall in the third inning on a Carter double. Harris was replaced by Morse...Pelfrey has dropped his past two starts.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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