Washington @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( May 11, 2010 ) Washington 6, NY Mets 8
The 2010 New York Mets are nothing if not entertaining - and not just in the comedy of errors sense of a year ago, when they lost 92 games.
The Mets provided another round of thrills Tuesday, scoring six runs in the eighth inning for an 8-6 win over Washington, and now they'll try to win the series and move ahead of the Nationals for second place in the National League East.
The teams begin the day tied for second, 2 1/2 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies, who were rained out Tuesday at Colorado.
New York continues to get big contributions for unexpected sources. Catchers Rod Barajas and Henry Blanco delivered victories with walk-off home runs in consecutive games over the weekend. On Tuesday, Chris Carter drove in the go-ahead run with a pinch-hit double in his first at-bat, and Raul Valdes picked up his first major league win in relief.
The Nationals have experienced quite a resurgence as well after losing 103 games a year ago, but they looked more like the Washington team of old in Tuesday's loss, which snapped a three-game winning streak.
Shortstop Ian Desmond made a key error in the six-run eighth, which helped lead to Washington's usually steady bullpen blowing the lead in spectacular fashion.
The eight runs Tuesday were the most the Mets have scored this month, and they hope to keep the offense going today for 26-year-old right-hander Mike Pelfrey.
Pelfrey has been New York's most consistent starting pitcher so far, posting four quality starts in six outings and reeling off a string of 27 consecutive scoreless innings in April.
He had one rough start in Philadelphia, but bounced back Friday to pitch into the eighth and limit the Giants to three runs on eight hits in a 6-4 Mets victory.
Pelfrey has faced Washington more than any other team, with mixed results. In 13 starts against the Nationals, he is 4-5 with a 3.86 ERA. He beat them in his first start of the year on April 9, allowing two runs on four hits over six innings.
Of the Nationals' regular starters, outfielder Josh Willingham has the best track record against Pelfrey - he is 8-for-20 lifetime against him with two homers and six RBIs. Willingham has three homers and seven RBIs in his last eight games.
The Nationals counter with a 26-year-old righty of their own in Craig Stammen, who is 1-2 with a 4.67 ERA in three starts against New York.
Stammen hasn't won since April 19, though he pitched well in a 4-2 loss to Florida in his last start Friday. He gave up two runs - one earned - on four hits and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings, but took a no-decision.