Brian Bannister is showing everyone that spring was no abberation. Granted, the Nationals are not a world class organization, but they're major leaguers with some decent bats that include Soriano, Zimmerman, Vidro, and the sweetest swing in baseball, Nick Johnson. They're no humps, and Bannister has mowed them down twice in less than a week. They've had the benefit to see Bannister pitch, and he fooled them regardless. It will be interesting to see how Brian fares against a stacked lineup like St Louis.

Bannister was cruising with a 2 hit shutout until the 7th. Bannister's only blemish was a barely fair dinger by Soriano in that inning. Bannister got out of the inning with only that run being scored and Heilman came in and made quick work of the Nats in the 8th, leading the way to give Wagner a chance to exercise his arm. It seems Willie wants to get Wagner some work despite the large lead because of his shortened spring, allowing him a perfect opportunity to gain some innings to work out the kinks.

The bats were alive today as well. Wright continues his torrid pace in the 4th with a double to bring home Beltran who singled ahead of him, thats 10 RBI's for “The Franchise,” folks. At least 1 in every game. Floyd hit a sac fly to bring home Delgado who had singled and advanced to third on Wright's double. 2-0 Mets.

The Mets scored 2 more in the 5th when Anderson Hernandez reached on an infield single, moved to second on Bannister's sac fly, and scored on Reyes' single. Reyes then scored off a smoking double by Lo Duca. 4-0 Mets.

Bannister helped his own cause and showed he is nice with the bat as well, hitting a double in the 7th inning and then scored off a trademark triple by Reyes putting the Mets up 5-0.

In the top of the 9th, Carlos Beltran hit an absolute bomb to right field. The monster is out of the cage folks. A two run blast with Lo Duca on base off a single. 7-1 Mets. Bannister earns his first win, and earns even more respect for an already impressive start.