Nelson Figueroa pitched his second straight impressive outing for the Mets last night, going seven innings, giving up just two runs. He lowered his ERA to 3.60 and was able to throw five pitches for strikes. Willie Randolph spoke about impressed he was with the performance.

“He’s been hitting his spots, able to get strike one and then change his delivery, keep you off stride,” Randolph said. “He throws his curve, uses his cutter. He’s a pitcher. He’s crafty, knows what he’s doing. Strike one is key, then he can expand the zone, be creative.”

Down 2-1, Figueroa made a spectacular catch off a hit by the opposing Nats pitcher, John Lannan, when he snared the liner with a quick behind-the-back grab.

“Baseball’s the same all over the world, 60 feet, 6 inches,” said Figueroa. “My job is to get strike one, no matter if it’s somebody in Taiwan or Ken Griffey Jr. My job is to keep our team in the game as long as I can.”

Figueroa spoke about the long game and how he spent the other seven innings.

“You do a lot of nothing, just walk around and hope we can find a way to pull it out,” Figueroa said. “That was a really good game. Shame it took 14 innings, but as long as we win, it doesn’t matter.”

In the New York Times, Joshua Robinson discusses the entourage of friends and family that have been in attendance for the Brooklyn native’s two starts to cheer him on.

I am really pulling for this guy to succeed. Back to back great starts is a nice way to make your case. Keep it going Nelson, 60 feet, 6 inches.