The Washington Nationals drafted Michael Taylor in the sixth round of the 2009 Draft. Last night in New York, the 23-year-old outfielder made his major league debut against the Mets, going 2 for 4 with a home run in the Nats' 7-1 win.

A single in his first major league at bat probably would have been enough to make it a good night for Washington Nationals' outfielder Michael Taylor.

The 23-year-old, 2009 6th Round pick made his MLB debut for the Nats last night in New York's Citi Field.

After singling in his first MLB AB, taking an 0-2 fastball from 23-year-old Mets' pitcher Rafael Montero back up the middle of the infield, Taylor grounded out to third the second time up in the fourth, then with Wilson Ramos on base in front of him in the sixth, Taylor got hold of a 93 mph, 2-1 fastball from NY reliever Carlos Torres and sent it out the other way for an opposite field blast.

Taylor's first major league bomb was the third home run of a five-run inning that blew the series opener with the Mets wide open.

"It's fantastic," Nats' skipper Matt Williams said after the Nationals' 7-1 win when asked about Taylor's big night.

Did y'all expect anything different from @Taylor_Michael3 ... He does on a day to day basis

— Kevin Keyes (@KevinJKeyes) August 13, 2014

"He's worked really hard. He's taken all the extra BP and worked his way to get here and it's gratifying for everybody. The bench was really excited on the first base hit and then the homer they were even more excited. So, great for the kid and certainly a memory he'll remember forever."

Williams, who debuted in the majors in 1987 and has been involved with Major League Baseball since, has seen plenty of debuts and firsts, but he said it never gets old.

"Because everybody," he explained, "since the time they were yay-big, wants to be here and wants to experience something like this and then to have a good game your first game is icing on the cake for everybody, so we're proud of him."

The outing against the Mets was just the start of his major league career, but it was the culmination of a process that started when the Nationals drafted Taylor and really picked up at Double-A Harrisburg this season where he put up a .313/.396/.539 line with 17 doubles, 22 HRs and 34 stolen bases in 98 games and 441 plate appearances before he was promoted for a brief stay at Triple-A and then called up to join the Nationals.

"He's played really well all year,' Williams said. "The thing we're worried about is getting him enough at bats so he stays in his rhythm and his timing. Ordinarily, without Jayson [Werth] being out today, he might not get a chance to be in there. So, it's nice to see. He's a really good player with a lot of upside. So, good first night."

@Taylor_Michael3 showing why he is the man. Congrats buddy you are deserving of all of this #Nats

— Matthew Purke (@mattpurke47) August 13, 2014

Doug Fister too, who threw seven scoreless on the mound against the Nationals' NL East rivals, was impressed with what Taylor was able to accomplish in his first major league game.

"Tonight was one of those things that we got to see the young guy, Michael Taylor, come out show what he can do and he's proven it and that's a great night for him," Fister told reporters in New York.

"We applaud the hard work he's [done] and the success he had tonight."

Soak it in, @Taylor_Michael3! Here's your first MLB HR in GIF form: http://t.co/6DZ0r5et9e

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 13, 2014

I think I just took my first breathe since 7:10. #GodisGreat

— Michael A Taylor (@Taylor_Michael3) August 13, 2014

A counterpoint to our editorial from earlier in the week that argued for shutting Mejia down.

Apparently, to many fans, the Mets' decision to allow Jenrry Mejia to pitch this season while knowing that he has a hernia, is a terrible mistake and just another example of #LOLMETS. Luckily, however, the reality of the situation is quite different. So long as the medical staff says it's okay, Mejia should finish the season pitching for the major league club. For those of you unfamiliar with the story, here's the lede in the words of beat writer Matt Ehalt:

Mets closer Jenrry Mejia closer disclosed Sunday that he is pitching through a hernia in his back that will require offseason surgery, but doctors have told him he’s fine to continue throwing for the time being.

The real diagnosable problem around here is a fan base that gets increasingly know-it-all, increasingly self-deprecating, and continues to foster an increasingly negative attitude around this team in general. Earlier this week, Michael Avallone wrote right here in an article on Amazin Avenue (emphasis is mine):

For a team that has had its share of poor public relations moments when it comes to injuries, allowing one of your prized young pitchers to gut out a hernia in a season that more than likely won't bear fruit is pointless and dangerous . . . Alderson and Collins need to step in and definitively tell Mejia that he needs to be shut down. A doctor saying the hernia won't worsen is not justifiable cause to allow the 24-year-old to continue to pitch.

To my knowledge the author is not a doctor, not a pitching coach, not a physical therapist, and not a body kinesiologist. To my knowledge he's just a fan, like me.

Nonetheless, Avallone makes very a pointed statement that Mejia's pitching is "pointless and dangerous." However he only supports that position with 1) his opinion that the Mets have handled injuries poorly in the past, and 2) his assertion that the hernia might force Mejia to change his delivery and further injure himself. He provides no evidence for this second point.

Avallone is not the only one, as there are other articles that similarly call fora Mejia shutdown. But these articles are similarly long on speculation, long on worry, and short on facts. In reality, we on the outside know very little about the facts underlying this case. Here's what we do know:

1. Fans have no idea the extent of the injury. It may be minor and/or barely noticeable. Many sports hernias go away with rest and a little therapy, and don't even require surgery. In fact, Mejia himself called it only "a little bit of a hernia."
2. Players can play through sports hernias and be okay. Despite Tim Byrdak's now-famous warning to Mejia, the facts are the facts: R.A Dickey had a sports hernia the year that he won the Cy Young award. Adrian Peterson had a sports hernia the year he won the NFL MVP. Not only can you play through hernias, you can be the best player in the league with one.
3. If Mejia requires surgery, recovery is quick, simple, and uncomplicated. The U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Center for Biotechnology Information, in conjunction with Baylor University, published a paper that said that most athletes return to action within six weeks. Another source says that sport therapy can begin in three weeks, and a typical return to sport can be had in six weeks. Peterson returned in four weeks.

Is it possible that the hernia is affecting Mejia? Sure. But it is far more likely that Mejia has just hit a rough patch when it comes to luck—even Mejia boosters will admit that he has been walking on egg shells all season long, giving up too many hits, leaving too many hittable pitches up in the zone.

Since moving to the bullpen, Mejia has posted a strong 2.70 ERA and 9.81 K/9. He was even better before his last seven appearances, posting a 2.10 ERA from May 12 through July 23. However, the only thing that appears to have changed between July 23 and now is Mejia's luck. Despite posting a BABIP of .321 through July 23, Mejia's BABIP has exploded to an impossible .565 over his last 6⅔ innings. This despite the fact that his strikeout rate over that span is an excellent 13.49 per nine innings.

This is worth saying again: Mejia has recorded 20 outs over his last seven appearances, and 10 of them have been by strikeout, which is pretty good. He has not given up a home run in this period, and he has walked only three batters. In that same time, opposing hitters have put 23 balls in play, and 13 of them have become hits. It doesn't matter how many line drives you're giving up, a .565 BABIP is unreal.

As everyone already knows, Mejia has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. That is all the more reason to seize the opportunity to let him continue pitching at the major league level if the medical staff believes that he can continue to pitch without changing his mechanics or injuring himself further. I asked this on Twitter on Monday, after having a few debates about the decision to let Mejia continue to pitch:

Those of you criticizing TC for letting Mejia pitch through hernia: how many of you are doctors? Had hernia? I'll hang up and listen.

— Brian P. Mangan (@brianpmangan) August 11, 2014

Shockingly, nobody responded to that question. In lieu of any expert opinion to the contrary, I would defer to the opinions of the experts involved in the decision to let Mejia pitch. In fact, Mejia was pitching with the hernia for three weeks before even getting it diagnosed—and now that it has been diagnosed, the doctors have said that he can continue to pitch through to the end of the season so long as it doesn't worsen.

The bottom line is this: Jenrry Mejia is only now experiencing his first serious run of success at the major league level in his entire career. The 2014 season is not meaningless; these months will help determine who the Mets can count on to be a part of a 2015 team with serious playoff aspirations. If it's possible, Mejia should be out there gaining more confidence and experience with every passing day.

With the hernia problem being a simple fix, let's trust the medical staff's judgment. If you want people to stop saying #LOLMets, Mets fans should stop saying it about themselves.

Doug Fister threw seven scoreless innings last night in Citi Field, improving to (12-3) on the year in the Washington Nationals' 7-1 win over the New York Mets. Nats' skipper Matt Williams was once again impressed with Fister's work.

Lost, somewhat, in all of the excitement over 23-year-old outfielder Michael Taylor's MLB debut last night in Citi Field was the fact that Washington Nationals' right-hander Doug Fister put together yet another strong start in the Nats' 7-1 win over the New York Mets.

Fister went seven innings against the Nationals' NL East rivals, giving up seven hits, but no walks or runs while throwing 107 pitches, 71 of them strikes in his second consecutive outing against the Mets.

The win left Fister (12-3) seventeen starts into his first season with the Nationals following the trade from the Detroit Tigers this winter.

In 111 ⅔ IP, the six-year veteran now has a 2.34 ERA, a 3.63 FIP, 13 walks (1.05 BB/9) and 69 Ks (5.56 K/9).

So is Nats' skipper Matt Williams ready to declare Fister the Nationals' "ace"?

"I think on any given day any of them could be," Williams said, once again deftly avoiding affixing the label to any one of his five starters. "But Doug just continues to go out there and when he's given the ball he pitches well and that's good for us. He's been throwing the ball really good."

So far in the second-half, Fister is (4-1) in five starts, with a 1.06 ERA in 34 IP, holding opposing hitters from the Rockies, Reds, Phillies and Mets to a combined .242/.271/.297 line.

Last night's outing was his second consecutive against the Mets, who scored just one unearned run on Fister last week in the nation's capital.

"Really good," Williams said of Fister's work last night in rainy Flushing, Queens. "Tough conditions tonight too. Slippery ball. Wind. Rain. So, he pitched really well, got a hit too."

"Overall there were some good things and bad things obviously," Fister told reporters.

"But the best thing is our offense came out and just opened things up early. Our defense was right on par tonight and that's what we want to look at. We're playing good baseball together, working together and really kind of sacrificing and doing the things we need to do."

"He just continues to pitch well, in every aspect," Williams told Jim Memolo and Todd Hollandsworth on the MLB Network Radio show "First Pitch" this morning.

Nationals 7-1 over Mets: Michael Taylor 2 for 4 with a HR in MLB debut

Photo © Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

"I mean, he gets a couple guys on, he's always one pitch away from a double play. He works fast and he throws strikes. His tempo is really incredible to me, the tempo at which he pitches. And it keeps our guys on their toes, they know the ball is going to be hit, so there's good plays made behind him. So all of those things combined just add up to him going deep in games for us and giving us a chance to win every day."

Last night's start was the 11th of Fister's seventeen in which he went at least seven innings. He's gone six innings in three others and made into the sixth in two of the other three.

Among NL starters at least 110 innings pitched, Fister now has the National League's third-lowest ERA, behind only the Reds' Johnny Cueto's 2.05 ERA and the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw's 1.78.

• We talked about Michael Taylor's MLB debut, Doug Fister's outing and more on the latest edition of Nats Nightly w/ the District Sports Page's Dave Nichols:

The Washington Nationals are giving both Jayson Werth and Denard Span the night off so Michael Taylor starts for the second straight night but in center this time in the second game of three with the New York Mets in Citi Fieid.

Based on what Washington Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo said on 106.7 the FAN in D.C. today, Jayson Werth isn't likely to land on the DL with the shoulder issue that's been bothering him for the last week-plus, but he isn't back in the lineup yet either. MLB.com's Bill Ladson's sources told him today that the 35-year-old veteran outfielder had a cortisone shot in his right shoulder today after he had an MRI last night, and he could miss the next few days:

Source: OF Jayson Werth received a cortisone shot in his shoulder today. He will probably not play for a couple of days. #Nats#MLB

— William Ladson (@washingnats) August 13, 2014

Matt Williams confirmed Ladson's report when he spoke to the press before tonight's game:

#Nats Manager Matt Williams said RF Jayson Werth had a cortisone shot today to reduce the inflammation in his AC joint. No structural damage

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 13, 2014

Werth's absence last night led to Michael Taylor starting his first game in the majors, and the 23-year-old outfielder impressed, going 2 for 4 with a single for his first MLB hit and his first MLB home run later in the game. Taylor gets a second straight start tonight with Denard Span getting a hard-earned break after his 14-game hit streak and 36-game on-base streak both ended last night. Taylor's playing center in place of Span tonight with Bryce Harper in right and Kevin Frandsen in left in the second game of three with the New York Mets in Citi Field:

#Nats lineup @ #Mets: Taylor CF, Cabrera 2B, Rendon 3B, LaRoche 1B, Desmond SS, Harper RF, Ramos C, Frandsen LF, Zimmermann P

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 13, 2014

Going back to Span for a moment. When the 30-year-old outfielder's 36-game on-base streak started back on June 28th, the second-year Nats' leadoff man had a .268/.313/.392 line on the year. After last night's 0 for 5 in NY, Span's up to a .303/.356/.497 line. Over the course of his on-base streak, he put up a .396/.463/.458 line.

Jordan Zimmermann on the mound tonight vs Bartolo Colon. 7:10 start time.

• Here are both lineups:

Having managed the Mets since Sandy Alderson took over as general manager, Collins is expected back next year.

Mets manager Terry Collins is expected to return in 2015, says Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Collins's contract runs through next season, and it doesn't come as much of a surprise that the organization is not planning on making a change before next season begins.

Hired by the Mets shortly after Sandy Alderson took over as general manager after the 2010 season, Collins has overseen a Mets team that has gone 282-324 since the beginning of the 2011 season, though it would hardly be fair to blame only Collins for the lack of success the team has had over that span.

This year, the Mets are on pace to win roughly 77 games, which is as many as they won in 2011. They won 74 games in both 2012 and 2013. While a serious run at a Wild Card spot this season seems incredibly unlikely, expectations are already high for next year, as Matt Harvey is scheduled to return from Tommy John surgery to give the team a significant boost.

The right-hander threw 27 pitches today, but the club, namely Terry Collins, wants him to continue to take it slow.

You can't fault the Mets' Matt Harvey for being persistent and dedicated during his Tommy John surgery rehab. He still feels that he will pitch again in 2014, but even with that prospect looking all but gone, he continues to work hard down in Port St. Lucie.

Today, that included a 27-pitch bullpen session. But Terry Collins hopes to eliminate any thought in Harvey's mind of a comeback this year.

"Matt gets it and understands it, but the issue with Matt is that everything he does is max effort...He's talked about how great he feels, and how well he's throwing. He's got to back off a bit."

Collins and pitching coach Dan Warthen reportedly got on the phone with Harvey to have a pre-game chat before the Mets took on the Nationals this evening. With Jeremy Hefner's setback serving as a cautionary tale, they likely stressed to Harvey that it would be better for him to wait to come back in 2015 fully healthy—or as close to healthy as possible—than to come back too early despite feeling "great" and potentially doing further damage to his elbow. With the right-hander making up a group of emerging young arms, the Mets are hoping to protect the career of their young star as much as they can.

New York Mets' right-hander Bartolo Colon shut the Washington Nationals down for six innings in Citi Field, but the Nats rallied late for a 3-2 win and their 10th straight decision in Citi Field. Jordan Zimmermann was solid on the mound again for the Nationals...

Party City.com Deck Top 5:

5. Quick Recap: New York Mets' right-hander Bartolo Colon completed four scoreless on just 52 pitches to start the second game of three with the Washington Nationals in Citi Field. Jordan Zimmermann appeared to have his own fourth scoreless frame on the board when Travis d'Arnaud sent a two-out fly ball to left field after a single by Lucas Duda put a runner on first with two down, but Nats' left fielder Kevin Frandsen flat dropped the ball when it bounced off the heel of his glove and Duda scored from first on the play for a 1-0 lead after four.

Ooops! E7 makes it 1-0 #Mets! #NYMvsWAS

— New York Mets (@Mets) August 14, 2014

The Nationals took the lead in the seventh, however, when they finally got to Colon. Adam LaRoche doubled to right-center to start the frame, took third on a single by Ian Desmond and scored on Bryce Harper's sac fly to right.

WATCH: @Bharper3407's sac fly tied this ballgame, and this sac fly by @kevinfrandsen put the #Nats ahead in the 7th: http://t.co/9YVjzjjblf

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 14, 2014

Desmond moved up on a single by Wilson Ramos and scored when Kevin Frandsen lined out to left. 2-1 Nationals after six and a half.

#Nats lead! @kevinfrandsen sends a sac fly to left, @IanDesmond20 scores & the Nationals take a 2-1 lead.

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 14, 2014

In the top of the eighth, Asdrubal Cabrera hit his first home run as a National, taking a 2-2 slider from Mets' right-hander Jeurys Familia out to right field on a line for a solo home run that made it 3-1.

WATCH: The #Nats needed an insurance run in the eight and Asdrubal Cabrera was there to provide it with his 10th HR: http://t.co/RLrUS89aOu

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 14, 2014

Travis d'Arnaud made it a one-run game with a solo home run to left on a 2-2 fastball up in the zone inside from Rafael Soriano in the bottom of the ninth... but that's as close as the Mets would get. 3-2 Nats final.

4. Zimmermann in Citi Field: Like Washington starter Doug Fister last night, Jordan Zimmermann was facing the New York Mets for the second time in two weeks tonight after holding the Nationals' NL East rivals to seven hits and three runs last week in the nation's capital in a 5-3 Nats' win in which the 28-year-old right-hander received no decision.

Only two of the seven hits Zimmermann allowed in last week's start against the Mets were extra base hits, a fact he pointed to when talking about being happy about the outing.

"I thought it went pretty well," Zimmermann said. "They didn't get too many hard-hit balls. The one that [Daniel] Murphy hit, the double, was about the only one and all the other ones were little ground balls that got through or weak contact that just fell in."

Zimmermann's start left him (4-2) in Nationals Park after 13 starts with a 2.76 ERA, a 2.45 FIP, 13 walks (1.56 BB/9) and 61 Ks (7.32 K/9) in 75 IP.

Zimmermann was back on the road tonight, however, taking on the Mets in Citi Field.

The Nationals' '07 2nd Round pick was winless, personally, in his last five road starts going back to a win in San Diego, California's Petco Park back on June 8th.

The Nats won two of those five starts, but Zimmermann himself hadn't earned a win on the road since he beat the Padres two months back.

Overall on the year, the right-hander was (3-3) in 10 road starts before tonight's with a 3.41 ERA, a 2.94 FIP, eight walks (1.14 BB/9) and 65 Ks (9.24 K/9) in 63 ⅓ IP, holding opposing hitters to a .241/.270/.412 line, which is actually better than his .277/.314/.349 line against in D.C.

Zimmermann remained (5-5) against the Mets in 18 career starts after last week's outing, which left him with a 3.35 ERA, 23 walks (1.98 BB/9) and 82 Ks (7.05 K/9) in 104 ⅔ IP against New York, over which he held Mets' hitters to a combined .256/.297/.388 line.

In Citi Field, before tonight, he was (3-2) in eight starts with a 3.59 ERA, 11 walks (2.32 BB/9) and 30 Ks (6.33 K/9) in 42 ⅔ IP in which New York's hitters have put up a .261/.307/.394 line against him.

The ninth start of his career in the Mets' home began with a broken bat single...

1st:Curtis Granderson got jammed but managed to send a broken-bat single to right to start the Mets' first. Daniel Murphy grounded to second to start a 4-6-3 DP. David Wright lined to left with two down but was thrown out at second by Kevin Frandsen to end a 13-pitch first by Zimmermann.

2nd: Lucas Duda grounded out to first on the first pitch of the second. Travis d'Arnaud lined a 2-2 slider to left for a one-out single. Matt den Dekker sent a weak chopper to Anthony Rendon at third for out no.2. Juan Lagares K'd swinging at a 2-2 slider to end another 19-pitch frame. 32 total for Zimmermann after two.

3rd:Wilmer Flores lined sharply toward third where Anthony Rendon caught the third out of the inning. Bartolo Colon grounded out to short where Ian Desmond dropped the ball but recovered in time to throw Colon out. Curtis Granderson stepped in with two out, fell behind 0-2 quickly and fouled a 1-2 fastball into Wilson Ramos' mitt to end a 12-pitch frame that left Zimmermann at 44 pitches overall.

4th: Daniel Murphy lined out to center on the first pitch of the fourth. David Wright lined to right field for out no.2. Lucas Duda kept the inning alive with a two-out single to center field. Travis d'Arnaud's fly to left field should have been out no.3, but Kevin Frandsen flat dropped it. Duda scored from first on Frandsen's throw in and the Mets took a 1-0 lead. Matt den Dekker's groundout ended a 12-pitch frame, after which Zimmermann was up to 56 pitches.

5th: Juan Lagares lined out to center, where Michael Taylor made a great catch in spite of a twisting, awkward route. Wilmer Flores popped out to second. Bartolo Colon's swinging K ended a 13-pitch fifth that left Zimmermann at 69 pitches.

6th: Curtis Granderson K'd swinging over a 2-2 slider inside. Daniel Murphy popped out to third. David Wright ripped a line drive to left, but Kevin Frandsen made a sliding, two-handed catch to end a quick, nine-pitch frame that left Zimmermann at 78 pitches overall after six.

7th: Lucas Duda reached first safely on an error by Adam LaRoche and after a flyout to right by Travis d'Arnaud, a line drive single to right by Matt den Dekker put two runners on. With Juan Lagares up, Wilson Ramos threw behind den Dekker at first, but no one was covering the bag, so both runners moved up on the error. Lagares took a base-loading fastball to the back on Zimmermann's last pitch... [ed. note - "Action picks up in no.1 of the Top 5."]

The line on Jordan Zimmermann: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 4 K -- 87 pitches, 65 strikes. pic.twitter.com/WWQrip8K2Y

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 14, 2014

• Jordan Zimmermann's Line: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 87 P, 65 S, 6/4 GO/FO.

3. Colon vs the Nationals: Bartolo Colon, 41, held the Washington Nationals to nine hits and three earned runs in six innings on the mound in Citi Field, taking a loss back on April 2nd in his first start after signing with New York this winter. His second start of the year against the Nats took place on May 17th in D.C., where he went eight innings, giving up just five hits, a walk and two earned runs in a 5-2 win.

Those two outings left Colon (2-2) in four career starts against Washington, over which he put up a 2.32 ERA with three walks (0.87 BB/9) and 13 Ks (3.77 BB/9) in 31 IP in which Nationals' hitters have put up a .265/.281/.427 line against the veteran of 17 major league seasons.

Heading into tonight's game, Colon was (5-5) in 10 starts at home this season, with a 3.21 ERA, (vs 4.59 on the road), a 2.93 FIP, seven walks (0.90 BB/9) and 63 Ks (8.10 K/9) in 70 IP in which he'd held opposing hitters to a combined .251/.270/.378 line.

Colon's night in New York started with a seven-pitch, seven-strike, 1-2-3 frame against the Nationals. The Nats went down in order in another seven-pitch frame in the second with Bryce Harper striking out on a 92 mph 0-2 fastball to end the inning. 14 pitches total after two.

Wilson Ramos doubled on a 1-0 fastball for the Nationals' first hit off Colon, then took third on a single to right by Kevin Frandsen. Jordan Zimmermann failed to get a sac bunt down/really gave up an out. Michael Taylor K'd swinging over an 0-2 two-seamer. Asdrubal Cabrera stepped in with two on and two out and grounded into a force at second to end an 11-pitch inning that left the Mets' starter at 25 pitches total.

Anthony Rendon lined a single to center to start the fourth and Adam LaRoche walked to give the Nationals two on with no one out for the second straight inning. Two generous calls on 3-0 pitches outside and questionably low put Ian Desmond in a full count, and after fouling two off, Desmond grounded into a 4-6-3 DP. Bryce Harper took a two-seamer for a called strike three to end a 27-pitch frame. 52 total for Colon.

An eight-pitch, 1-2-3 fifth left Colon at 60 pitches overall after five scoreless. A 12-pitch, 1-2-3 sixth left him at 72.

Adam LaRoche doubled to the right-center gap to start the seventh and took third on a single to center by Ian Desmond, who took second on an error by Juan Lagares on the throw in. A sac fly to right by Bryce Harper brought LaRoche in to tie it up at 1-1. Wilson Ramos lined a single to center for the third hit of the inning, moving Desmond to third and a sac fly to left by Kevin Frandsen brought him in. 2-1 Nats. A weak grounder to third by Jordan Zimmermann ended a 17-pitch frame which left Colon at 87 pitches overall.

Seriously, how many times have we seen David Wright make this barehanded play? http://t.co/owm0PdX1EI#Mets#LGM

— New York Mets (@Mets) August 14, 2014

• Bartolo Colon's Line: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 Ks, 89 P, 65 S, 4/8 GO/FO.

2. Hotter and Hotter: Bryce Harper homered for the second time in two at bats against the New York Mets in his first at bat on Tuesday night, connecting for an opposite field blast in the series opener in Citi Field after he'd hit a walk-off out the other way in Nationals Park last week in the series finale with NY.

In an MLB Network Radio interview this morning, Nats' skipper Matt Williams talked once again about seeing signs that Harper, who has struggled offensively since returning from the DL, is turning things around at the plate.

"He's seeing it better," Williams said. "He's a little more calm at the plate. He's driving the ball the other way. Both of his homers in the last week have come opposite field. Hit a line drive to right last night as well, so he's seeing the baseball. He's staying back a little bit better and of course he's making good plays in the outfield too for us, so, I think he's ready to turn that corner on his season, and it's perfect timing for us because we're going to need him down the stretch for sure."

Harper was 0 for 2 with two Ks in his first two plate appearances against Bartolo Colon tonight, but he connected for a sac fly in the seventh that tied things up at 1-1. An infield single in the ninth left him 1 for 3 with two Ks and the sac fly on the night.

1. The Wrap-Up: Just like last week, Drew Storen came on in relief of Jordan Zimmermann with runners on. The Mets loaded the bases in the seventh before the right-handed reliever came on. Wilmer Flores grounded to third, and Rendon took the out at home, but a DP throw to first by Ramos arrived late. Pinch hitter Kirk Nieuwenhuis stepped with the bases loaded and two out and K'd chasing a 2-2 change out of the zone. Still 2-1 Nats.

Jeurys Familia retired the first batter he faced in the top of the eighth, but Asdrubal Cabrera crushed a hanging 2-2 slider and sent a line drive home run out to right. HR no.10 for Cabrera in 2014, but his first with the Nationals.

Tyler Clippard took the mound with a three-run lead in the Mets' eighth and gave up a two-out single to left by David Wright but nothing else... though he did get some help from an efforting Asdrubal Cabrera for the first out of the frame...

Oh, just Asdrubal Cabrera making a ridiculous, tumbling-into-the-stands catch. Anything for an out: http://t.co/AjCoVIrIIl

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 14, 2014

Pitch it, Soriano! Pitch it, Soriano! Strike'em out, Soriano! Strike'em out, Soriano! Rafael Soriano came out in the bottom of the ninth looking for save no.27 of 2014 and gave up a solo home run to left on a 2-2 fastball up in the zone to Mets' catcher Travis d'Arnaud. Matt den Dekker singled to center for the second straight hit, but Juan Lagares popped up an attempt to bunt the runner over/give up an out. Wilmer Flores lined a one-out single to center, sending den Dekker around to third with one down. Eric Young, Jr. came on to run at first. Pinch hitter Eric Campbell stepped in with two on. Young stole second to take away the DP opportunity. The Nats brought the infield in and Campbell grounded to short allowing Desmond to get the out at home. Two down. Curtis Granderson...? Grounder back to the mound. Ballgame!!

Work's done! Untuck that jersey, son!!

Nationals now 64-53

Jordan Zimmermann and three Nationals relievers held the Mets' bats in check, and a strong outing from Bartolo Colon went to waste.

Bartolo Colon pitched a fine game but the Mets managed just two runs against Jordan Zimmermann and three Nationals relievers. A furious ninth-inning rally provided fleeting hope but our heroes came up short.

The Mets scored first tonight, thanks to a comical error by Nats left fielder Kevin Frandsen in the fourth inning. Lucas Duda scored from first base with two outs after Frandsen dropped a routine fly ball off the bat of Travis d'Arnaud. Colon had a shutout going headed into the seventh inning, but three hits and two sacrifice flies later the Nationals took a 2-1 lead. The Mets blew a prime chance to turn the game around in the bottom half of the seventh, thanks in large part to a pair of Nats errors and a Juan Lagares hit-by-pitch. However, with the bases loaded and one out, Wilmer Flores grounded out and pinch-hitter Kirk Nieuwenhuis struck out.

Asdrubal Cabrera then hit what turned out to be an important solo home run in the top of the eighth inning off Jeurys Familia to extend the Nats' lead to 3-1. It was important because d'Arnaud homered in the bottom of the ninth to close the Mets' deficit to 3-2. That would be as close as our heroes got, despite two base hits after d'Arnaud's dinger. Curtis Granderson grounded out to Nats closer Rafael Soriano with Eric Young Jr. on second base to end the game.

GameThread Roll Call

Nice job by MetsFan4Decades; her effort in the GameThread embiggens us all.

Tennessee wins on a walk-off pinch hit by Albert Almora. Boise loses and epic pitchers duel.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were hit with the death ray of the Las Vegas 51s (Mets), 6-4.

Chris Rusin started and took the loss. He allowed five runs on six hits over seven innings. He struck out five and walked three.

First baseman Mike Olt led off the bottom of the second inning with his sixth home run for Iowa this year and fourth in his last five games. Olt was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Center fielder Matt Szczur went 2 for 5 with an RBI. Left fielder Josh Vitters went 2 for 3 with a walk.

Omaha won, so the two teams are now tied for first.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies clouded over the Huntsville Stars (Brewers), 6-5.

In all honesty, Corey Blackdidn't pitch well tonight, but he was able to get the pitch he needed to get out of jams. Black pitched five innings and allowed one run on three hits. That sounds good, but he walked six and struck out six.

Zach Cates relieved Black in the sixth inning and immediately coughed up a 5-1 lead. Cates pitched two-thirds of an inning and allowed four runs on three hits and two walks. He struck out one.

P.J. Francescon pitched the final 1.1 innings and got the win when Tennessee scored in the bottom of the ninth. Francescon gave up one hit but no runs. He struck out one and walked one. Francescon now has ten wins this season, all in relief.

Pinch-hitter Albert Almora hit a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the ninth, scoring Stephen Bruno, who had reached on an error. Bruno was 1 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.

Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha went 3 for 5 with a double and two RBI. Left fielder Lars Anderson was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored once and had one RBI.

Daytona Cubs

Off day.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars sent the Quad Cities River Bandits (Astros) up the river, 6-3.

Paul Blackburn pitched the first four innings and allowed three runs on five hits, including a solo home run. Blackburn struck out two and walked one.

Michael Heesch was fantastic tonight, facing nine batters and retiring all nine as he got his third win. He struck out four.

Francisco Carrillo got a two-inning save. He allowed one hit but no runs. He struck out three and walked no one.

Catcher Ben Carhart hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. He was 2 for 4. After the game, Carhart was promoted to Daytona.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks lost to the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks), 1-0 in ten innings. Boise did not have a hit until the tenth inning and Hillsboro only had two hits, one in the fifth and one in the tenth.

Starter Josh Conway pitched the first three innings without allowing a hit. He walked one and struck out three.

Ryan Williams allowed a one-out single in the fifth inning, which was the only hit in the game in the first nine innings. Williams pitched four innings. He struck out six and did not walk anyone.

James Farris did not allow a hit over the two innings he pitched. He struck out four and walked one.

Corbin Hoffner came in to pitch the bottom of the tenth, but he allowed a hit and three walks to take the loss. Hoffner only retired one batter.

David Bote hit a double in the top of the tenth to break up Hillsboro's no-hitter.

AZL Cubs

Lost game one to the Indians, 6-4. They lost game two 4-3.

Bartolo Colon gave up just two runs in seven strong innings but the Mets couldn't generate much offense against the Nationals pitching staff.

After tonight's loss, the Mets are 57-64, 9.5 games behind the Nationals in the NL East and seven games back in the Wild Card race. To reach a postseason-worthy 89 wins, they would have to go 32-9 to close the season. I feel confident that it ain't happening.

So why keep watching? Tonight's lineup featured a few reasons:

• Bartolo Colon, making perhaps his final starts for the Mets before an August waiver trade;
  
• Travis d'Arnaud, continuing his post-Vegas rebirth at the plate;
  
• Matt den Dekker, a 27-year-old getting maybe his only chance to show he can stick in the big leagues;
  
• Juan Lagares, a defensive wizard holding his own at the plate (for the moment); and
  
• Wilmer Flores, getting an extended look as an everyday player.
  

Of this crew, Colon and d'Arnaud had the best games tonight, but all were involved in the action in one way or another. Colon did what he's done much of the year: he threw strikes and logged a bunch of innings. Tonight he added more strikeouts than usual, fanning eight batters in his seven innings of work. His K/BB ratio of 5.95 trails just Clayton Kershaw and his counterpart tonight, Jordan Zimmermann, in the National League.

Colon had a shutout going through the first six innings. With a 1-0 lead, just 72 pitches to his name heading into the seventh, and Nats batters baffled by his offerings, it looked like he might finish that shutout. However, the Nats lineup started to figure him out a little. Adam LaRoche led off with a double and Ian Desmond followed with a single. Desmond advanced to second on a rare throwing error by Lagares (our man Juan overshot the cutoff man and his throw went all the way home). Bryce Harper, who had struck out in both of his at-bats to that point, hit a sacrifice fly to score LaRoche and tie the game 1-1. Next was notorious Mets killer Wilson Ramos, who singled to advance Desmond to third. Kevin Frandsen then gave the Nats a 2-1 lead with another sacrifice fly. Colon retired Zimmermann on what would be his final batter of the game. His final line: seven innings, six hits, two runs, eight strikeouts, one walk. Pretty darn good.

d'Arnaud played a part in both Mets runs. In the fourth inning, with two outs and Lucas Duda on first base, d'Arnaud lifted a routine fly ball to Frandsen in left field. It's a play that outfielders make 99 times out of 100; Mets fans were fortunate the play was the 1%, as Frandsen dropped it. Duda scored from first base, giving the Mets a 1-0 lead at the time. d'Arnaud also hit a solo home run leading off the bottom of the ninth against ace closer Rafael Soriano, putting the Mets down just one run, 3-2 (Asdrubal Cabrera had previously homered against Jeurys Familia in the eighth inning to give the Nats a 3-1 lead).

Next up were three of our aforementioned reasons to keep watching. den Dekker singled (cool), Lagares popped up a bunt to Soriano (boooo), and Flores singled as well (rally!). Eric Young Jr. pinch ran for Flores and Eric Campbell entered as a pinch hitter. Campbell's peripheral offensive stats (BB%, K%, Iso) aren't impressive but a high BABIP has helped him to an above-average slash line. Would he succeed in the big spot? No. He grounded to Desmond at shortstop, who threw out den Dekker at the plate. A brief umpire review determined that the correct call was made and Ramos properly blocked the plate. Curtis Granderson then ended the game on a groundout to Soriano.

The Mets didn't have many opportunities to score runs tonight, but when they did they didn't take advantage. A bases loaded, one-out situation in the seventh inning yielded nothing when Flores grounded out and Kirk Niewenhuis struck out. And the ninth inning was a dud after d'Arnaud's bomb. Now would be a good time for Wright and Granderson to start pulling their weight.

The Mets will try to fend off a sweep Thursday at 7:10 pm ET. The pitching matchup is Dillon Gee vs Stephen Strasburg.

SB Nation GameThreads

* Amazin' Avenue GameThread
* Federal Baseball GameThread

Win Probability Added

(What's this?)

Big winners: Travis d'Arnaud+21.6%, Lucas Duda +16.1%
Big losers:Eric Campbell -36.3%, Curtis Granderson -17.9%
Teh aw3s0mest play: Wilmer Flores single in the ninth inning, +25.5%
Teh sux0rest play: Eric Campbell fielder's choice in the ninth inning, -36.3%
Total pitcher WPA: -15.1%
Total batter WPA: -34.9%
GWRBI!:Asdrubal Cabrera solo home run in the eighth inning

Your Thursday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.

Meet the Mets

Ho-hum: It was another Mets loss to the Nationals at Citi Field—even though it looked like the streak would end. That's a ten-game home losing streak to the Nats if you're scoring at home.

Postmortems: Amazin' Avenue (short, long), MLB.com, ESPN.com, Times, Post, Daily News, Newsday, Star-Ledger

Marc Carig at Newsday breaks down Matt Harvey's interview with ESPN Radio and how the righty knows that he needs to take it slow—despite hitting the 90s during a bullpen session.

Jenrry Mejia is OK, Terry Collins proclaimed before tonight's game. Mejia was ready if needed on Tuesday; obviously he wasn't needed.

Mr. Met became the latest celebrity (person? highly visible figure?) to take the ice bucket challenge. No word yet on who he challenged to take it next. Hopefully the suit is nice and dry for tonight's game.

Oh, and Terry Collins will apparently be back in 2015.

Around the NL East

The Braves finally got one against the Dodgers. Craig Kimbrel escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the 9th as Atlanta topped L.A., 3-2, at the Ted.

Missed opportunity for the Mets to move up: the Cardinals beat the Marlins, 5-2. They remain 2.5 back of Miami.

The Phillies were out west to take on the Angels in Anaheim; the Angels took this one 4-3.

Around the Majors

Remember when we wanted Troy Tulowitzki? He's done for the year as he'll have hip surgery.

A tough season got worse in Texas; Yu Darvish is headed for the DL with an inflamed right elbow.

Byron Buxton, the #1 prospect in MLB, suffered a vicious collision while playing for Double-A Fort Myers and had to leave in an ambulance. Let's hope he's okay.

The Cubs' Javier Baez is turning out to be a pretty good player.

And it looks like our friends in the Bronx are having some struggles of their own.

This Date In Mets History

Nine years ago today, Pedro Martinez had a no-hit bid in the eighth. And 45 years ago today, the Mets were 9.5 games out of first place behind the Cubs. (We seem to recall 1969 being a good year, though.)

Yesterday at Amazin' Avenue

More on Terry Collins' apparent return next year.

Why we should trust the Mets' medical staff and hope for Jenrry Mejia to continue pitching.

Breaking down Jacob deGrom's emergence as a top starter in the rotation.

Should David Wright bat at a different spot in the order?

Matt Harvey spoke to ESPN Radio's Rick DiPietro and Alan Hahn after throwing another bullpen session on Wednesday.

As Matt Harvey continues to power his way through his rehab from Tommy John surgery, he and the Mets continue to butt heads over the pace of his recovery. That Harvey and the Mets once again have differing viewpoints is nothing new, but after tossing a 27-pitch bullpen session, the 25-year-old spoke to Rick DiPietro and Alan Hahn of ESPN New York, 98.7 on Wednesday evening to discuss his progress.

A few highlights of the 14-minute interview include:

• Harvey's continued rehab from Tommy John surgery and thoughts on the impact Jeremy Hefner's injury might have on him.
  
• Harvey discussed the excitement surrounding New York's pitching staff next season and beyond.
• The famed ice water challenge making its way around social media, including Harvey's own version of the challenge on Instagram.
• His personal opinion on how to speed up the game of baseball.
• Inventing a new brand of men's underwear with co-host and former NHL goalie, Rick DiPietro.

A full transcript of the 14-minute interview can be found below and you can listen to audio of the interview here.

Alan Hahn: Matt Harvey joins us right now. Matt, Alan Hahn, Rick DiPietro here in New York. You're down in Port St. Lucie. I guess the first thing, first, you threw off the slope of the mound last week, how are you feeling?

Matt Harvey: Pretty unreal. I couldn't be happier with the way things have gone and a little surprising now, I've gone off the mound here four or five times and honestly feels like nothing's happened. Moving forward is obviously something I have on my mind the way that everything feels but I know there's a process and as a competitor I want to get back out there as soon as possible, but you know health is the main factor.

Rick DiPietro: Twiggy, it's berries.

Harvey: What's up buddy?

DiPietro: How you doing pal?

Harvey: Good, bud.

DiPietro: Good, I know how hard it was for you to accept the fact you needed Tommy John in the first place and you'd actually be out for a whole season. I want to know how hard has it been being away from the game?

Harvey: You know it's tough. I think I talked to you about that a bunch of times, obviously staying at your house. You know, as a competitor and the season that I had last year, the last thing I wanted to do was let New York down and let my team down and not be there to compete for every fifth day and go out there and do what I do and love doing. You know it's been tough. It's been a really long season. You know I couldn't thank the Mets for, I know it was a little battle there at the beginning but, you know, really letting me stay in New York and be with the team while they were at least at home was, you know it was a big help and definitely made the time go by quicker and rehab not as painful. It's been a tough ride but it definitely could have been worse.

Hahn: And I'm sure you're seeing a little bit of the light at the end of the tunnel at this point, but after Jeremy Hefner goes through what he just went through re-injuring that elbow and Sandy Alderson comes out and he said he spoke with you about slowing down the rehab process right now. I'm sure you want to come back, as soon as you possibly can. Has this sort of made you reassess and possibly say to yourself, you know what, it's better if I come back in my own time instead of trying to rush this?

Harvey: Yeah, I think the tough part with that is just how good I feel and just how good the ball is coming out. You know, I threw a bullpen today and I didn't miss a spot. I felt like I was you know, easily throwing into the low to mid-90s with pretty much no effort. That's the tough part. The tough part is feeling physically ready while I'm throwing bullpens and getting off the mound, but I think once you look at a situation like Jeremy, you know he felt great the whole time and then once he started facing some hitters, that's when he started having some trouble. I think when it comes down to it, I think everybody's obviously different. Every body's different. There's no saying that a guy can't come back within 10-11 months and be fine or it might take some other guys 13-14 months. You know, for me, I'm going off the way my body feels and the way is responding to me through the whole process and it's been nothing but success. You know, obviously as a competitor I want to move forward.

DiPietro: Speaking of bodies, Matt, this brings up the next point. I was fortunate enough to see your Instagram of your cold tub challenge and all of a sudden I'm seeing six-pack abs, all ripped up. I'm glad to see, you're a little pasty but like I always say, you can't get a tan at the gym.

Harvey: Well, I can't get a tan over at the Sandals over in Long Island in your house.

DiPietro: I'm thinking of putting a tanning bed in for you at this point.

Harvey: I think we should. The gym needs a little addition over there in the corner, but you know, I mean that was obviously something that had been asked for me from a few friends who knew him personally. It was a great cause, it was a great thing and obviously, it's spreading like wildfire and people all over the United States and all over the world are getting involved in ALS and making sure that everybody is aware of it and helping out the good cause.

Hahn: You know, now I'm challenged. Myself, Wally Szczerbiak are being challenged by Al Trautwig at MSG Network that we have to do it. Now if you check, you can check on my Twitter feed. Trautwig put a video, Matt. He's using like a Dixie cup?

DiPietro: It's not even a Dixie cup, it's embarrassing. It's like a shot glass of warm water.

Hahn: Right, it's a rock glass with chipped ice and he puts it over his head and that's the challenge. You need to tell me, because I have to answer this now. So give me your advice. What is the way I can do this where I will completely outdo what Al Trautwig did?

Harvey: Well I don't know, because I watched a video of a guy who got glacier water dumped on him by a helicopter.

DiPietro: That's a whole new level.

Hahn: Oh, that was Paul Bissonnette, right? That was 'Biz-Nasty.'

Harvey: Yeah, that was him. So, after watching that I feel like my little ice dump in the tub was nothing compared to some glacier water at 15,000 feet or wherever he was.

DiPietro: And that's your play-by-play announcer for your favorite team. Your favorite hockey team, as much as it pains me to say that.

Hahn: Well actually, Rick was actually telling me about the poster you have of Henrik Lundqvist. I find that to be, it's a conflict of interest.

DiPietro: He comes over my house, sleeps at the Sandals resort and he's wearing a Henrik Lundqvist t-shirt as pajamas.

Harvey: Yeah.

Hahn: That's embarrassing.

Harvey: Yeah I mean, you guys don't go in the room there very much so I try to decorate as much as I possibly can with my own personal items.

Hahn: There'll be no converting.

DiPietro: It's all inclusive, that's what happens.

Hahn: What's amazing though, is you wear orange and blue and yet you wouldn't be an Islanders fan, why wouldn't you if you are wearing orange and blue? But we do see you at Knick games so I appreciate that at least.

DiPietro: I'm telling you right now. This guy has immersed himself in New York. It's amazing.

Hahn: It's the way to go.

DiPietro: He just loves New York sports and this guy, he could be on the radio if he wanted to be.

Hahn: Well that's why we're doing this right now, but Harv, the question I have for you of course is, we talk about all the different teams here in New York and while the Mets right now are not in contention for anything, there's a lot of talk about how this team, next year, considering this pitching staff: yourself, Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom, Syndergaard if they bring him up, you obviously have Jonathon Niese, Montero pitched last night, they've got some serious arms waiting next season.

Harvey: Absolutely.

Hahn: As you come back, as you think about next season. We get closer to fall, obviously you start thinking about 2015, you must have some great anticipation of what this team could be about next year.

Harvey: Oh 100 percent, 100 percent. I think that's part of the reason why I want to come back so bad this year, is to start that off and finish this year on a high note with everybody back and healthy and you know, really go into the offseason with a starting staff that people will be excited about coming to watch next year. It was important for me to come back this year and I'd love to obviously, but the excitement of watching deGrom and Wheeler and Dillon Gee and Jon Niese and Bartolo and whoever they decide to go with next year for the starting five. Obviously there's some serious fire power in there and we're all looking forward to it. I'm definitely looking forward to it, obviously after sitting out all this year, it's exciting. I'm hoping, as a baseball player I think you wish the offseason would take a little bit longer than it normally does but I think this year, I'm definitely hoping it definitely goes by in a week. It's really all I've been thinking about and it's been exciting to watch the young guys develop and come up and obviously after throwing a couple of bullpens, just the way that I feel, the way the balls coming out, if not better than I've ever felt in my entire life so. That's obviously exciting and I'm definitely looking forward to spring training and 2015.

Hahn: That's music to the ears of any Mets fan listening out there right now. It's Alan Hahn with Rick DiPietro, ESPN New York, 98.7 FM, talking with Mets ace pitcher, Matt Harvey from Port St. Lucie. He threw some bullpen again today, throwing low to mid-90s, he's telling us, feeling really good, taking his time but working his way back and we're talking about, obviously, next season right now. We'll see where he ends up for the Mets next season. Before I let you go, and again, thanks so much for the time here today, Matt, baseball is going to be selecting a new commissioner to replace Bud Selig, probably expected to be Rob Manfred. You're a guy who works quickly. You like to work fast. A lot of complaints about the game of baseball is that it's just too slow; guys keep stepping out of the box. If you were commissioner, what would be something that you would do to help speed up the game?

Harvey: You know, I don't know. I think I've always worked fast. That's just kind of the way I've always been. After obviously playing other positions in high school, and you know, with me on the mound I worry about my teammates and guys sitting out there for too long. If I work quick and stay in the ballgame and they get to be in every pitch just as much as I am, that helps the game, that helps the game move. I don't know if it's necessarily a basketball term where you come up with some sort of shot clock for pitching. You know, for me, I've always worked quick and I think that helps your team as much as it helps you. If you can pound the strike zone and work quick, your team's going to be in every pitch and that's the way that I've always felt and definitely gotten some good feedback from teammates. It's nice to get out of the ballpark at 9:30 every once in a while instead of 10:30.

Hahn: I'll tell you this: It's easy to say if everybody pitched like you I'd love to watch baseball again because it's impossible. But if everybody pitched at the pace you pitched at, I'd probably watch a lot more baseball, there's no question about that. Are we going to see you a lot at the Garden this winter?

Harvey: Oh yeah, oh yeah, I'll be there. Cover your ears, Ricky.

DiPietro: You know what's funny, Matt was over at the house the other day and we went out and he goes to put his sneakers on and he had Patrick Ewing New York Knick socks on. So that's the kind of commitment we're talking about, here.

Harvey: The stamp socks.

Hahn: We've got to send you a pair of Ewings, actually. You know they make them at Ewing Athletics, they make them. We'll send him a pair of Ewings. We'll get him a Carmelo jersey.

DiPietro: One thing that the NBA does well is socks. I don't go out of the house without NBA socks.

Hahn: Best socks in the world. David Lee tells me all the time. They grab as many as you can and you wear them as suit socks because they're so comfortable.

DiPietro: Oh my, they're amazing.

Harvey: Oh, hundred percent, hundred percent. Yeah, you have to.

Hahn: See, Harvey knows. I'll tell you what, when you're back in the city and Rick's in the studio with me, you come on the air in the studio, you promise?

Harvey: Oh, a hundred percent.

DiPietro: We've got to reunited twig and berries. We can't be apart for so long.

Hahn: By the way, I can't let you go without somebody explaining about twig and berries, please.

DiPietro: Ok, so my idea and I came to Matt with it,  was that you can't find a comfortable man's underwear that's cool. So we were like, maybe we should come up with...

Harvey: Good lingerie for men.

DiPietro: Yeah, good lingerie for men. Instead of Victoria's Secret, maybe Victor's Secret. But then we were like, no that's not that cool. What about twig and berries or frank and beans? We decided on twig and berries. He'd be the twig and I'd be the berries.

Hahn: This is the thing.

DiPietro: You never know, we'll see what the response is. You can tweet me or put it on the line.

Hahn: On the line, put it on the line and tweet @HDumpty39 or @MattHarvey33 and you throw that up and you guys tweet at them and you guys come up with something better than twig and berries. Or if you like the idea, let them know. Matt great to talk to you, thanks so much for the time my friend. Good luck with the comeback.

Harvey: Thanks for having me on, alright, I appreciate it guys.

DiPietro: Thanks for coming on twiggie.

Harvey: You got it buddy.

The Washington Nationals won in spite of some ugly play last night, and earned their 10th straight victory in the New York Mets' home. Tonight, with Stephen Strasburg on the mound, the Nats try to make it 11 in-a-row and a series swe---.

It wasn't exactly pretty, but the Washington Nationals managed to win their tenth straight game in Citi Field last night, taking a 3-2 decision from the New York Mets and setting themselves up with an opportunity to sweep the three-game set from their NL East rivals. Along the way to their 65th win, however, there were three errors, one each by Adam LaRoche, Wilson Ramos and Kevin Frandsen, eight Ks vs veteran righty Bartolo Colon and a nearly-blown save.

"Some miscues tonight," Nationals manager Matt Williams acknowledged after the game.

"The ball hit to [LaRoche], he was going to catch it in the air. then decided not to catch it in the air and got it deep and it got by him. [Frandsen] just misplayed the ball in left. The pickoff throw, a little mixup in signals there, but they're resilient, so mistakes are made sometimes and you have to overcome them."

The takeaway, in the Nats' first-year skipper's mind, was that in spite of the miscues the Nationals were able to beat the Mets yet again.

"That's important for us," he said when asked if just getting the win is what mattered. "We don't want to put ourselves in that situation though and we want to play clean baseball and don't give them extra outs. Any team can beat you [with] extra outs, especially these guys, so we were fortunate tonight, but that happens. So if you get in that situation, you've just got to overcome it."

The Nationals came back from a 1-0 deficit which was the result Frandsen's error in left on a dropped catchable ball in the fourth, took a 2-1 lead in the seventh, added to it in the eighth and survived the ninth with Nats' closer Rafael Soriano giving up a solo home run by Mets' catcher Travis d'Arnaud and putting two runners in scoring position before an out at home and a grounder to the mound ended the game.

Williams said Soriano was just up in the zone, but he too overcame his difficulties and locked down save no.27 of 2014.

The problem last night, for the 34-year-old closer, according to Williams, was that he was up in the zone after three-plus days waiting for the latest save opportunity.

"Just the ball up in the zone. Just up, middle. The homer was, he missed location and both base hits up the middle he missed location, so just a little off. Regular work is key for guys, but sometimes in the closer role you don't get it, so, we were able to hold on."

In spite of his struggles, it took Soriano just 15 pitches to complete the inning, so he should be good to go again tonight if the Nats need him.

• Here's the lineup that will take on Mets' right-hander Dillon Gee in the series finale:

#Nats lineup @ #Mets: Span CF, Cabrera 2B, Rendon 3B, LaRoche 1B, Desmond SS, Harper LF, Lobaton C, Taylor RF, Strasburg P

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 14, 2014

The 40-year-old outfielder will report to Triple-A Las Vegas.

He's back, guys. On Thursday afternoon, the Mets announced that they have signed left-handed outfielder Bobby Abreu to a minor league contract for the second time this season. Just like the first time, Abreu will report to Triple-A Las Vegas.

It was just days ago that the Mets announced the official release of Abreu, whose patience at the plate provided a solid blueprint for the club's young hitters to follow. However, Abreu's lack of power and defense made him expendable, especially considering the presence of other left-handed outfielders like Kirk Nieuwenhuis and the surging Matt den Dekker.

In 142 plate appearances for the Mets this season, Abreu has hit .238/.331/.336 with 18 walks and 21 strikeouts. He earned a roster spot with the team by hitting .395/.489/.579 in 45 Las Vegas plate appearances to start his campaign. This time around, Abreu is unlikely to be called back up to Queens unless den Dekker or Nieuwenhuis struggles mightily.

Just days after designating him for assignment, the Mets have brought back Bobby Abreu on a minor league deal.

The New York Mets have re-signed veteran outfielder Bobby Abreu to a minor league deal, per a club announcement. Abreu signed a minor league contract with the Mets in March and spent the majority of the season at the major league level before being designated for assignment and released last week.

The 40-year-old Abreu will report to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he spent time earlier this season, hitting .395/.489/.579 in 45 plate appearances. It appears likely that he will return to the majors once rosters expand on September 1st.

Abreu hit .238/.331/.336 with a 93 OPS+ and -0.7 WAR in a 142 plate appearance comeback stint with the Mets this season, after sitting out all of 2013. He got off to a blistering start, holding a near-.900 OPS through the start of June, but his production dropped significantly, and he batted only .181/.286/.222 from June 1st through his release. He was still clearly showing an ability to reach base via the walk, though he was delivering negative value pretty much everywhere else, especially on defense where he had a -35.8 UZR/150 and -8 defensive runs saved.

MLB owners have elected Rob Manfred, Bud Selig's right hand man, as the league's new commissioner. Manfred will become the league's 10th commissioner once Selig retires in January.

After a pair of votes earlier today led to a stalemate, Major League Baseball's owners officially elected Rob Manfred as the league's new commissioner this evening.

Manfred is new commissioner. #MLB

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) August 14, 2014

Manfred, who was most recently named MLB's Chief Operating Officer on September 28, 2013, was long considered a frontrunner for the position and was the top choice of outgoing commissioner Bud Selig, who is set to retire in January. Before being named the league's COO, Manfred served fifteen years as MLB's Executive Vice President of Labor Relations. While in this role, MLB has had unprecedented labor peace, as they've negotiated three collective bargaining agreements without a strike or lockout in 2002, 2006, and 2011.

The primary opposition for the commissioner's seat was Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner and current MLB Executive Vice President Tim Brosnan, who announced his decision to drop out of the race this morning prior to the initial vote. Assembled in Baltimore, MLB owners voted twice earlier today with Manfred getting 22 votes, one shy of the 23 required to be named the league's commissioner. Though it's unsure which team changed their vote in the third go-round, we do know that the Mets voted for and were in support of Manfred from the beginning.

The Washington Nationals got two-run home runs from Adam LaRoche and Bryce Harper and a strong start from Stephen Strasburg as they won their 11th straight game against the New York Mets in Citi Field. 4-1 final for the three-game sweep...

Stephen Strasburg Appreciation Top 5:

5. Quick Recap:New York Mets' right-hander Dillon Gee gave up a one-out walk to Washington Nationals' second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera in the opening frame of tonight's game, and one-out later surrendered a two-run home run on an 0-2 fastball to Adam LaRoche, whose 17th HR of the 2014 campaign gave Nats' right-hander Stephen Strasburg a 2-0 lead to work with when he took the mound in Citi Field.

WATCH: @Stras37 is about to get to work with a two-run lead, courtesy of this HR by @e3LaRoche in the first: http://t.co/WAbvg6YGaP

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 14, 2014

Gee walked Ian Desmond in front of Bryce Harper in the top of the fourth and paid for that free pass too when Harper crrr-ushed a center-cut 88 mph 1-1 fastball, sending a two-run blast out toward the Shea Bridge in right field in the Mets' home. 4-0 Nationals on Harper's sixth.

WATCH: This. Was. A. Bomb.: http://t.co/1hKldLdqnl@Bharper3407#Nats

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 15, 2014

The Mets pushed an unearned run across on Strasburg in the bottom of the fourth inning when Daniel Murphy singled on a grounder up the middle and took second when Ian Desmond made a rangy play but bounced a throw by first. Murphy stole second when Anthony Rendon failed to handle a throw from Wilson Ramos, then scored on a sac fly to center by Lucas Duda that made it 4-1 Nationals.

Duda with a sac-fly gets us on the board in the 4th. #NYMvsWAS

— New York Mets (@Mets) August 15, 2014

The unearned run was the only one the Mets scored in seven innings against Strasburg. 4-1 Nats final.

4. Road Stras: Washington Nationals' right-hander Stephen Strasburg's last start on the road took place in Atlanta's Turner Field last weekend, and it did not go well for the 26-year-old right-hander.

Over five innings of work on the hill, the Nats' '09 no.1 overall pick surrendered seven hits, four of them home runs, two walks and seven runs total in what ended up a 7-6 loss to the Braves.

"I just didn't execute pitches the way I needed to," Strasburg explained succinctly after the loss.

"Just not executing pitches. That's the bottom line. Feels good out of the hand, just not hitting the spots well enough."

Asked what he needed to do to get the results he wanted, Strasburg said he wasn't sure there was anything he could do differently.

"I don't really know how to work on it," he admitted. "I mean, some days I'm hitting the spot and some days I'm a couple inches up. So, just got to roll with it, try to miss down instead of miss up."

In an MLB Network Radio interview this afternoon, Strasburg's teammate, Denard Span, who has watched the starter work from center field for the last two seasons, was asked what he thought the righty needed to do to become the sort of dominant, top-of-the-rotation pitcher everyone agrees he should be?

After being sure to qualify his remarks by noting that he's not a pitching coach, "... by any means," Span said it was all about being consistent.

"I think this game is all about consistency really," Span said. "I mean, there's no question he has the talent. There's no question he works hard. I watch him work hard every day. Whenever I'm in the weight room, he's in there sweating his butt off, in the video room, trying to get better, so the effort is there, it's just about putting it together, that's all. And coming to the field every day trying to learn and get better.

"I think every player in the major leagues goes through their period where they're trying to learn, and trying to find themselves as a player. I think everybody in this clubhouse, on our team, believes in him. We know that he's a good talent and he's going to be fine."

Strasburg allowed 4 HRs in last start. In his 16 worst MLB starts, ERA 8.96. In his NEXT starts, his ERA 1.31. Career 2.52 ERA in Citi Field

— Thomas Boswell (@ThomasBoswellWP) August 14, 2014

The loss in Atlanta left Strasburg (1-8) away from D.C. after 12 road starts this season, with a 5.25 ERA (vs a 2.41 ERA at home), a 3.99 FIP (vs 2.17) and a .285/.341/.487 line against in 70 ⅓ IP away from the nation's capital so far in 2014 (vs a .233/.272/.340 line against in 86 IP in Nationals Park).

Tonight's start was Strasburg's second of the year against the Mets, who he faced on Opening Day in Citi Field, giving up five hits, two walks and four runs in six innings pitched, while striking out 10 in a comeback win in which he received no decision.

That outing left him (2-1) in five career starts against the Nats' NL East rivals from NY, with a 2.70 ERA, 10 walks (3.00 BB/9) and 41 Ks (12.30 K/9) in 30 IP over which Mets' hitters have put up a combined .185/.258/.324 line against him.

In Citi Field, where he made four of his five starts against New York, Strasburg had a 2.52 ERA, seven walks (2.52 BB/9), 36 Ks (12.96 K/9) and a .180/.245/.337 line against in 25 IP before taking the mound in the series finale of the this week's three-game set.

1st: Curtis Granderson battled for seven pitches before grounding out to second to start the Mets' first. An 0-2 curve got Daniel Murphy swinging for out no.2. David Wright stepped in with two down and singled up the middle on a 95 mph first-pitch fastball. Lucas Duda grounded back to the mound to end a scoreless 15-pitch frame.

2nd: Travis d'Arnaud popped out to Adam LaRoche in foul territory off first to start the second. Matt den Dekker worked the count full and K'd swinging through a 96 mph knee-high heater. Strasburg handled Juan Lagares' swinging bunt himself, and threw to first to end a quick, 10-pitch, 1-2-3 frame which left Strasburg at 25 total.

3rd:Wilmer Flores lined out to right on a 96 mph 2-1 fastball. Dillon Gee K'd swinging through a 96 mph 0-2 heater. Curtis Granderson grounded weakly to first to end another quick inning. 11-pitch frame, 36 overall after three scoreless.

4th: Ian Desmond showed off his range, but bounced a throw by first on a grounder up the middle by Daniel Murphy. The Mets' second baseman took second when the ball got by Adam LaRoche. David Wright stepped in with a runner in scoring position and K'd swinging at a 96 mph 2-2 fastball. K no.4 for Strasburg. With Lucas Duda up, Murphy stole third. Duda worked the count full and lined out to deep center for the second out of the inning and a sacrifice fly. Travis d'Arnaud's groundout to second ended a 17-pitch inning that left Strasburg at 53 overall after four. 4-1 Nationals.

5th: Matt den Dekker grounded out to short on the first pitch of the Mets' fifth. Juan Lagares took a 3-2 curve for a called strike three and Strasburg's 5th K. Wilmer Flores grounded out to third to end another quick, 10-pitch, 1-2-3 frame. 63 pitches overall for Strasburg.

6th:Eric Young, Jr. hit for Dillon Gee and doubled by third to start the sixth, just beating Bryce Harper's throw in to the bag. Curtis Granderson walked to put two on with no one out. Daniel Murphy rolled over a 1-2 curve and grounded into a 4-6-3 DP. David Wright fell behind 0-2 quickly and K'd swinging at a wicked bender to end a 21-pitch frame at 84 pitches.

7th: Lucas Duda lined out to center again to start the Mets' seventh. Travis d'Arnaud walked with one down, taking the second free pass of the night from Strasburg. Matt den Dekker K'd looking at a backdoor 0-2 curve. Juan Lagares K'd swinging through a 95 mph 1-2 heater. 101 pitches overall for Strasburg, 8 Ks.

• Stephen Strasburg's Line: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 Ks, 101 P, 66 S, 8/2 GO/FO.

3. Golly Gee: New York Mets' right-hander Dillon Gee took the mound tonight winless in his last five starts, going (0-3) in those second-half outings which followed a win on July 9th in his first start back following stint on the DL for the 28-year-old Mets' right-hander, who suffered a strained right lat in mid-May which kept him out of the rotation until just before the Break.

The Mets turned to Gee hoping to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Washington Nationals, against whom he'd done well in his career.

In his one start opposite the Nats this season, the '07 21st Round pick out of the University of Texas at Arlington gave up four hits, two walks and four earned runs in 6 ⅔ IP back in April.

That outing, in which he received no decision, was the 13th of his career against the Nationals.

In those starts, Gee was (7-3) with a 3.23 ERA, 24 walks (2.58 BB/9) and 61 Ks (6.56 K/9) in 83 ⅔ IP, over which he held Washington's hitters to a combined .236/.299/.421 line.

After posting a 6.85 ERA and a .244/.316/.500 line against in his first four starts after the Break, Gee was solid against the the Philadelphia Phillies last time out, throwing seven innings in Citizens Bank Park in which he gave up three hits, three walks and one earned run in a 2-1 win in which he received no decision.

Looking to build on that outing, Gee took the mound tonight in Citi Field and gave up a two-out, two-run opposite field home run by Adam LaRoche in the first. LaRoche's 17th of 2014 came on an 0-2 fastball from Gee, who walked Asdrubal Cabrera with one down to compound the damage. 19-pitch frame for Gee in the first. 2-0 Nationals lead after a half inning.

That HR by @e3LaRoche was the #Nats' fifth HR of the season on an 0-2 count -- and the second one hit by Adam LaRoche this year.

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 14, 2014

Gee gave up a one-out walk to Michael Taylor in the second, but completed a scoreless 17-pitch frame that left him at 36 overall after two. A quick, 13-pitch, 1-2-3 third left him at 49 pitches.

Ian Desmond walked to start the fourth and Bryce Harper followed with a two-run blast that sailed out toward the Shea Bridge in right field. 4-0 Nationals on Harper's 6th. Gee held the Nationals to the two runs and completed a 24-pitch frame at 73 pitches overall.

#HighFivesForHomers#BombsAwaypic.twitter.com/blgtSELwXe

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 15, 2014

Gee needed nine pitches to retire the Nationals in order in the fifth. Ian Desmond singled to start the sixth, but was stranded at third three outs later as Gee completed an 11-pitch frame at 93 pitches overall.

Check out @UpperDekker’s tremendous diving catch in the 4th: http://t.co/eOqGwkuBlB#Mets

— New York Mets (@Mets) August 15, 2014

• Dillon Gee's Line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 Ks, 93 P, 56 S, 8/5 GO/FO.

2. SW _ _ P!: The NL East's first place Washington Nationals started tonight's series finale 9-2 against the New York Mets through 11 games this season with a 10-game win streak going in Flushing, Queens, NY's Citi Field, where the Nats had also won 24 of the last 28 games between the NL East rivals. They were also in the midst of a four-game win-streak against the Mets going into the 12th game between the teams this season.

The Nationals jumped out to 4-0 lead early on two-run home runs by Adam LaRoche and Bryce Harper and cruised to a 4-1 win, their fifth straight against the Mets, their 11th straight in Citi Field and their 10th in 12 games against New York this season.

1. The Wrap-Up: Josh Edgin took the mound for the Mets in the seventh and issued a two-out walk to Asdrubal Cabrera, a single to left by Anthony Rendon and a two-out, base-loading walk to Adam LaRoche before he was replaced on the mound by Carlos Torres, who struck Ian Desmond out to end the threat.

Carlos Torres came back out for the eighth and threw a scoreless frame.

Tyler Clippard took the mound in the Mets' half of the eighth inning and retired the Mets in order in a 10-pitch frame.

Jenrry Mejia

"Pitch it, Soriano! Pitch it, Soriano! Strike'em out, Soriano! Strike'em out, Soriano!" Rafael Soriano came on looking for save no. 28 of 2014. Daniel Murphy hit a one-hopper to second for out no.1. ONE! David Wright battled for eight pitches before popping out to Ian Desmond. TWO!! Lucas Duda got to a full count and grounded out to second to end it.

Work's done! Untuck that jersey, son! 4-1 final.

Nationals now 66-53

Adam La Roche homered early and Stephen Strasburg took care of the rest as the Nats swept the Mets yet again at Citi Field

Met killer ne plus ultra Adam La Roche gave the Nats the early lead with a two-run opposite field shot off of Dillon Gee in the top of the first, and Bryce Harper followed suit with his own two-run shot in the fourth. That would be the sum total of the Nationals' runs, and all the runs they'd need. The Mets scratched out a run against Stephen Strasburg in the fourth, with a great deal of help from some shoddy fielding from the opposition, but that was all they could manage against the young'un and the formidable Nats bullpen.

Full recap to come.

GameThread Roll Call

Nice job by MetsFan4Decades; your effort in the GameThread embiggens us all.

The Mets barely made a peep in protest as the Nationals completed another sweep at Citi Field behind the arm of Stephen Strasburg and the bat of Adam La Roche.

Looking back on this Mets season, I'm amazed at how few crushing defeats they've suffered. Sunday's game, when they blew a 6-1 lead in Philadelphia, is one of the few. Last night's near miss might qualify. Otherwise, the Mets have largely avoided the kick-things-and-call-in sick loss in 2014.

This is because they are not good. When a team is not good, you do not expect them to win and therefore do not despair when they don't. A not-good team's failure to win does not baffle you and never leaves you with the feeling How on earth did they lose that game?! You know exactly why they lost that game: They were demonstrably worse at baseball than the opposition. Tonight's game could be exhibit A in the case for this theory, a game in which the Nationals took advantage of their opportunities, the Mets eschewed what few they received, and the loyal fan never expected to see anything different.

The numbers say Adam La Roche is one of the most prodigious Met Killers of the last 20 years. If that surprises you, it's probably because he's the quietest Met Killer of the last 20 years. He's never pointed to the heavens when touching home plate after rounding the bases or said he plays for the team to beat or told Mets fans to put their Yankees gear on. He might also be the most annoying Met Killer of the last 20 years because he stubbornly refuses to do anything overtly hateable, save punishing the Mets over and over and over again.

Tonight, La Roche strode to the plate with a man on first and two out in the top of the first. He had the gall to fall behind in the count 0-2 before sending a pitch the opposite way. Juan Lagares ran after the ball, fooling all observers into thinking he'd catch this as easily as he catches everything else. But the ball, having been hit by La Roche, continued to travel until it cleared what was once called the Great Wall of Flushing for a two-run homer. That gave him 27 home runs against the Mets in his career, and gave the Nats a 2-0 lead.

Gee worked a scoreless second and set down the side in order in the third, concluding with a La Roche groundout. (It can be done!) But the fourth began with a walk of Ian Desmond, already Gee's third walk of the game, and when the pitcher served up a flat 88 mph fastball to Bryce Harper, the youngster belted it into the bullpen for another two-run bomb.

Though he pitched a scoreless fifth and worked around a leadoff single by Desmond in the sixth, every pitch seemed like a struggle for Gee. A prime example came with two out in the sixth, when one of his offerings to Michael Taylor sailed high and headward. To the naked eye, it looked like Taylor was nailed in his helmet, prompting anguished groans from the crowd. In actuality, the ball only hit Taylor's bat. Tonight, even Gee's good luck was ugly.

Stephen Strasburg is one of those aces who I always hear is struggling some place far away, but who never thinks to bring those struggles to his meetups with the Mets (save a not-great start on opening day this year). That continued tonight, as he held the Mets in check in the first save a David Wright single, then set them down in order in the second and third.

In the fourth, the Mets managed to score despite some idiocy on the basepaths, with help from some shoddy Washington defense. Daniel Murphy led off the inning by sending a ball up the middle. Ian Desmond made a great play to grab it before it rolled into the outfield, but made a less great play when he flung his throw past first base, and Murphy ran to second on the miscue. One out later, Murph decided he'd try to steal third, even though Lucas Duda was at the plate and his team still trailed by four runs. Only Anthony Rendon's drop of the pickoff throw prevented Murph from a one-way ticket to TOOTBLAN City. He was eventually rewarded for his foolishness when Duda flew out to deep center, allowing him to score, but that would be all for the Mets offense in the frame. The fifth would bring another three-up, three-down.

Dillon Gee's evening officially came to an end when Eric Young batted for him to start the bottom of the seventh and snuck a double down the third base line. Then, Curtis Granderson worked a walk to put two men on base with no outs. (The free pass also prevented the Mets from not earning a walk in three consecutive games since the LBJ administration.) But Murph bounced into a double play and Wright struck out to kill the rally.

Josh Edgin was the first man out of the Mets bullpen and set down the first two batters he faced in the seventh before loading the bases on a single and two walks. Carlos Torres took Edgin's place and kept things respectable by striking out Desmond, then threw a scoreless eighth with some help from a typically spectacular running catch by Lagares. The herniated Jenrry Mejia contributed a 1-2-3 ninth.

These efforts merely preserved the status quo. Tyler Clippard picked up right where Strasburg left off in the bottom of the eighth by retiring the Mets in order while striking out a pair, and Alfonso Soriano picked up the save in much easier fashion than he did the night before, though he had to endure a Terry Collins challenge of a pitch he thought he hit Duda (it didn't).

Thus concluded another listless Mets defeat as they were felled by a fatal dose of not goodness they've been fighting off for, oh, six seasons or so. They should get that thing checked out one of these days.

SB Nation GameThreads

* Amazin' Avenue GameThread
* Federal Baseball GameThread

Win Probability Added

(What's this?)

Big winners: Carlos Torres, 3.0%; Curtis Granderson, 2.0%
Big losers: Dillon Gee, -21.4%; Daniel Murphy, -10.7%
Teh aw3s0mest play: Eric Young double, top sixth, 6.5%
Teh sux0rest play: Adam La Roche two-run homer, top first, -21.2%
Total pitcher WPA: -18.5%
Total batter WPA: -31.5
GWRBI!: Adam La Roche two-run homer, top first

Was Thursday night's outings against the New York Mets in Citi Field Washington Nationals' starter Stephen Strasburg's best road start of the year? Nats' skipper Matt Williams said it probably was and it was all about Strasburg's fastball command...

Stephen Strasburg entered tonight's start (1-8) in 12 starts away from Washington D.C. this season, with a 5.25 ERA, 3.99 FIP and a .285/.341/.487 line against in 70 ⅓ innings pitched on the road in 2014.

The Nationals' 26-year-old ace was coming off a particularly frustrating start against the Atlanta Braves in Turner Field last Friday night and looking to bounce back along with his teammates, who dropped 2 of 3 to the NL East's second place team, but took the first two games of their three game set with the Mets in New York's Citi Field.

In seven innings of work tonight, the 2009 no.1 overall pick reminded everyone just how good he can be when he's on, striking out eight and allowing just three hits by the Mets, who pushed one unearned run across on a sac fly in the fourth.

As Nats' skipper Matt Williams has explained before and did again tonight after Strasburg led the Nationals to a 4-1 win and a sweep of the three-game set with the Mets, it's all about the right-hander's fastball command.

"Tonight he had really good fastball command, both sides of the plate," Williams said. "And that's where it starts with him. If he can do that it just opens up everything else. He pitched well. He had a jam there in the middle inning, but he got out of it with a great double play ball, so he pitched really well."

The jam the first-year skipper referred to came about in the sixth when Strasburg gave up a pinch hit double by Eric Young, Jr. and a walk to Curtis Granderson. With some relievers stirring in the bullpen behind him, Strasburg worked his way out of trouble. Daniel Murphy grounded into a 4-6-3 double play in the next at bat rolling over a 1-2 curve, and David Wright K'd swinging at another bender to end the threat.

A one-out walk in the seventh had the Nationals stalling while Drew Storen warmed, but Strasburg struck Matt den Dekker with a backdoor 0-2 breaking ball and blew Juan Lagares with a fastball to complete his final inning of work with his seventh and eighth Ks.

Mets' manager Terry Collins laughed to himself before answering a question about what the Nationals' starter did so well on the mound tonight.

"I'd probably have to say," Collins told reporters, "the one thing he did you saw a good two-seamer tonight, really commanded it, kept it down. Threw his four-seamer up in the zone... and he gets you hunting for the fastball and then he can drop that curveball on you and it's tough to hit."

Williams was asked if this was Strasburg's best start on the road this season?

"Yeah, probably," he said. "He's been working hard at it. I'm proud of him. We're happy for him. He works extremely hard to be as good as he can be and so tonight was an example of what he can do."

Williams told reporters before tonight's game that he had a feeling Strasburg would put together a good outing, so one writer wondered what it was he saw?

"Just the way he's been working," Williams explained. "Asking questions, talking to his teammates and gaining knowledge and wanting to be really good. And tonight he was. Like I said, the key for him is down in the zone to both sides of the plate and he was able to from the first pitch tonight."

Strasburg was also able to work inside on the Mets' hitters.

Denard Span talked Stephen Strasburg before tonight's game

Photo © Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports

"It's a big part of his game," Williams said. "If he can do that then he opens up the plate for himself a little bit, so he did that effectively tonight."

With the win, and Atlanta's seventh loss in their last 10, the Nationals took a 6.0 game lead in the division, but Williams wasn't hearing any talk of it being a comfortable lead.

"I just feel that we've just got to keep playing," he said. "I'm proud of them coming here and bouncing back from the Braves series, and now we get a chance to go home for a long homestand, so, they played really well here and that's all we can take from it is that we played well here, now we've got to go do it at home."

The Nationals' three-game set with the 64-57 Pittsburgh Pirates starts tomorrow night at 7:05 in D.C.

• We talked about Strasburg's outing, Harper's power and more on the latest edition of Nats Nightly after tonight's game: