NEW YORK, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Justin Maxwell drew a bases-loaded walk in the 14th inning Sunday, handing the Washington Nationals a season-ending 2-1 win over the New York Mets.
Mets reliever Oliver Perez (0-5) hit Adam Kennedy and walked the next two batters to load the bases, and Maxwell's free pass forced Kennedy home with the go-ahead run.
Pat Misch then entered the game and induced Alberto Gonzalez to ground into a double play to end the inning.
But Miguel Batista made the lead hold up, working around a two-out walk in the bottom of the 14th to notch his second save.
Joel Peralta (1-0) earned the victory with two innings of one-hit relief for the Nationals, who ended the season at 69-93.
Reports surfaced before the game that Mets Manager Jerry Manuel and General Manager Omar Minaya would be fired after New York ended the season with a 79-83 record, good for fourth place in the National League East.
