The Washington Nationals announced Frank Robinson won't be their manager in 2007. The New York Mets said Pedro Martinez will miss the start of next season after shoulder surgery. And then the clubs went out Saturday night and played a game of far less significance than those two news items.
That game does still count in the books, though, and Julio Franco made the most of it, tying a career high with five RBIs, helping Tom Glavine earn his 290th career win in the NL East champion Mets' 13-0 victory over the last-place Nationals.
The Nationals' most-lopsided defeat this season began a few hours after Robinson told his players and coaching staff that he's done as their manager _ and his 51-year baseball career could be finished, too.
``It's been a great run for me, and I mean that sincerely,'' the Hall of Famer said. ``I have no bitter feelings or anything like that about the situation.''
Robinson's wife and daughter sat behind the Nationals' dugout during the game. When he was shown on the centre-field video board during the seventh inning, fans cheered and some chanted ``Frank! Frank! Frank!'' He gave a thumbs-up and a wave. There was a similar exchange in the bottom of the ninth, when dozens of fans stood and yelled his name.
After the final out, with fans of the losing home team standing and clapping, Robinson came out of the dugout and doffed his cap, then tapped his heart.
But while some Nationals players spoke about hoping to win the season's final two games to send Robinson out on a winning note, the Mets _ with no apparent motivation, given that home-field advantage in the playoffs is sealed _ dominated.
The 48-year-old Franco fell a triple shy of hitting for the cycle: He hit a three-run homer in the first inning, a two-run double in the third and a single in the fourth. It was the seventh time he's driven in five runs in a game, but first since Aug. 6, 1994.
Franco wasn't even supposed to be in the lineup _ he played first base after Carlos Delgado was a late scratch with what the team called general soreness.
All told, the Mets hit five homers, with Endy Chavez, Shawn Green, Ramon Castro and David Wright also connecting.
Glavine (15-7) looked quite good in his six shutout innings. He allowed only three hits, all singles, and didn't walk a batter. His three strikeouts raised his total to 2,481, passing Jack Morris for 30th on the career list.
Beltran Perez (2-1) took the loss, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks over three innings.
Manager Willie Randolph pulled Glavine after only 71 pitches _ 49 for strikes _ to keep him well-rested for the post-season. The left-hander is slated to start Game 2 of the Mets' first-round series next week, following Orlando Hernandez in Game 1.
The rest of the rotation is unsettled, in part because Martinez is sidelined. He already was ruled out of the post-season with a leg injury, and on Saturday came word that he won't throw from a mound until June because he'll be sidelined eight months after an operation next week on his right rotator cuff.
``There's no doubt he's disappointed, because he's not going to be with the club. His winter is going to be a winter of rehab and part of next year is going to be rehab,'' Mets general manager Omar Minaya said. ``But he's determined and he's looking at the challenge.''
Notes: Further muddling New York's pitching plans, RHP Steve Trachsel was scratched from Sunday's start because he flew home to California to deal with family issues. The Mets didn't immediately announce a replacement. ... The Nationals will honour Robinson on Sunday with tributes beginning before the first pitch and continuing throughout the afternoon. A grander Frank Robinson Day will be held next season. ... The Nationals lost to the Dodgers 13-1 on July 28.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
