9/10 Game Recap: Mets Fall To Nationals 6-3

Tonight at Citi Field, the Mets took on the Nationals in the second game of their four game set.  Unlike last night, the game was competitive, but the Mets ultimately fell by the score of 6-3.

Sep 10, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Dillon Gee (35) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Nationals got on the board early, when Jayson Werth blasted a solo homer to left with two outs in the top of the first.  In the top of the second, Adam LaRoche extended Washington’s lead to 2-0 when he smoked a leadoff homer to left center.

In the third, Werth hurt the Mets again, lining a run scoring double to make it 3-0 Nats.

The Mets broke through in the fourth when Justin Turner grounded an RBI single to left field to trim Washington’s lead to 3-1.  However, the Nats answered right back in the sixth, when Wilson Ramos lined a two out single to left to put them up 4-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Mets fought back.  Lucas Duda singled, Justin Turner doubled, and Matt den Dekker singled to open the frame.  That cut Washington’s lead to 4-3 and knocked Jordan Zimmermann from the game.  Craig Stammen replaced Zimmermann and escaped the inning without further damage.

The game remained 4-3 Nats until the top of the  ninth.  With one out and a runner on first, Terry Collins called on Tim Byrdak to face the lefty.  However, Davey Johnson countered by pinch hitting with Scott Hairston.  Byrdak hung a slider, Hairston crushed it over the fence in left, and the Mets fell behind 6-3.

Travis d’Arnaud led off the bottom of the ninth with a single, but that was all the Mets could muster as Rafael Soriano earned his 40th save.

Highlights:

• Dillon Gee got the start for the Mets and was decent over 6.1 innings of work.  He allowed 4 runs on 9 hits, walked 1 and struck out 5.  His ERA for the season is at 3.61.

• Travis d’Arnaud went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles.

• Justin Turner went 2 for 3 with an RBI, but left the game after injuring his hamstring on the bases in the 6th inning.

• Vic Black tossed a perfect 8th inning in his Citi Field debut.

Next Up:

The Mets and Nats play the third game of their four game set tomorrow night at 7:10 PM.  Zack Wheeler gets the start for New York.  He’ll be opposed by Dan Haren.

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