Last night, the Mets got a STELLAR start from Johan Santana, but still lost. Tonight they ask the same of Jon Niese and hope to take game two from the Nationals in Washington D.C.

Courtesy of NewYorkMets on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/NewYorkMets/status/17591305534 here is tonight’s lineup, with notes from me:

1. Angel Pagan —CF  Pagan did not start last night but came in to replace Chris Carter then played center, with Jesus Feliciano moving to left field. Pagan is celebrating his 29th birthday tonight.

2. Ruben Tejada —SS  Again Jose Reyes is out with the strained oblique. He hopes to be back in the lineup tomorrow. Tejada gets his third straight start at his natural position of shortstop.

3. David Wright —3B  Wright, on the last night of All-Star Game voting, went 0-4 to start July.

4. Ike Davis —1B  Davis went 1-4 last night, with his only hit coming in the first inning to score Jesus Feliciano, the Mets’ only run.

5. Jason Bay —LF  Bay got the night off last night with Chris Carter playing left field. Bay pinch hit in the ninth for Henry Blanco and singled.

6. Rod Barajas —C  Barajas got the night off last night, with Henry Blanco catching. Barajas did catch in the ninth inning.

7. Jeff Francoeur —RF  Francoeur struggled last night going 0-4 with two strikeouts. The game-ending sacrifice fly was hit to him.

8. Alex Cora —2B  Cora is getting his third straight start tonight with the absence of Jose Reyes.

9. Jon Nies—SP

Tonight’s starting pitching matchup will be Jon Niese (5-2, 3.84 ERA) for the Mets vs. Luis Atilano (6-4, 4.33 ERA) for the Nationals.

Notes: Game time tonight is 7:05pm. Tonight’s game will be broadcast on SNY. Jose Reyes will miss his third straight game with a strained oblique. Angel Pagan makes his return to the lineup.

Flushing Baseball Daily reporter, Tyler Moore. Follow Tyler on Twitter, where he’ll discuss Mets, and also his posts. If you wish to email him, send an email to Tyler with the subject of Flushing Baseball Daily Mail. Thanks for reading!

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