Washington @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 31, 2014 ) Washington 9, NY Mets 7

The Washington Nationals could savor their comeback victory in the season opener before visiting the New York Mets on Wednesday for the second of a three-game series. The Nationals, coming off an underachieving 2013 campaign, battled back twice late and beat the Mets 9-7 in 10 innings Monday as several players stepped up in big spots. “It was a well-played game – emphasis on team,” Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond told the Washington Post. “Maybe that’s what was missing last year.”

The win was costly, though, as Washington catcher Wilson Ramos broke a bone in his left hand, according to the Washington Post, and is expected to be replaced by former Tampa Bay Ray Jose Lobaton. The Mets must recover from a game in which they held an early 3-0 advantage and coughed up a 5-4 lead in the ninth. New York could get outfielder Chris Young (quad strain) back along with second baseman Daniel Murphy, who missed the opener to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (2013: 11-8, 3.36 ERA) vs. Mets RH Bartolo Colon (2013: 18-6, 2.65)

Gonzalez took a step back after his 21-victory season in 2012, but still put up decent numbers while registering at least 190 strikeouts for the third straight year. The 28-year-old was 4-2 in his last six decisions in 2013 and left-handers batted .204 against him overall. Gonzalez is 5-1 all time versus the Mets – 2-0 in 2013 – with a 2.57 ERA and Ike Davis is 4-of-12 with a homer against him.

Colon comes in off his best season since winning 21 in 2005 with the Los Angeles Angels franchise, which earned him a two-year, $20 million contract. The 40-year-old from the Dominican Republic does not strikeout as many as he used to, but walked only 29 in 190 1/3 innings last year with Oakland. Colon pitched for the Nationals’ franchise when it was in Montreal in 2002, going 10-4.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington 2B Anthony Rendon had a career-high four RBIs in the opener, including a three-run homer in the 10th inning.

2. Mets OFs Andrew Brown and Juan Lagares, in the lineup to replace Murphy and Young, both homered Monday.

3. The Nationals have won their last six games against the Mets.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Mets 2