I know, I know … I have Nationals season tickets, so I’m supposed to root for them. And under most circumstances, I do. But not when my Mets are in town. I grew up watching the Mets with my folks and my grandparents and am a vociferous fan.

Last night the game ended before we could make our traditional late-game comeback. So I was a little nervous heading into tonight’s game.

We jumped out to a 1-0 start with a Jose Reyes run in the first inning off a stupid base-running error by center-fielder Carlos Beltran.

The Nats answered with three runs in the third — backup catcher Gary Bennett, shortstop Cristian Guzmán, and centerfielder Brad Wilkerson.

The game continued in traditional fashion until the seventh inning when reliever Joey Eichen (who is noted for his cut-throat playing style) fielded what seemed like a routine grounder to his right. Unfortunately, he stumbled and fell heavily on his arm and lay there in agony. Eventually they brought the golf cart ambulance out to the mound, but Eichen managed to get to his feet and leave the field under his own power. Last I heard he had gone to the hospital for X rays for an arm injury.

In the top of the ninth, the Mets fed off the energy of the New York fans in the stadium. (I was impressed by how many of us there were — and by how many old-timer jerseys I saw.) right fielder Eric Valent scored off a sac fly by second baseman Miguel Cairo, followed by pinch hitter Marlon Anderson and shortstop José Reyes off a double by Beltran, giving us a three-run lead.

Being Mets fans, we understand that the game isn’t over until the third out of the bottom of the ninth. And that’s good. Because closer Braden Looper did give us a scare, giving up a triple to Guzmán and walking pinch hitter Termel Sledge (I think his name pre-destined him to play baseball), before bringing the game to a close.

I will be hoarse tomorrow…