Mets at Nationals
If the Washington Nationals are to go on and win their first National League East title, they might remember Tuesday’s 7-6 victory over the New York Mets in 12 innings as the game which got them back on track. Bryce Harper, Washington’s 19-year-old rookie phenom, certain won’t forget it as he delivered his first walk-off hit. The Nationals will look to build on their new-found momentum when they host the Mets on Wednesday in the second of a three-game series.
The Nationals had lost four of their previous five games before erasing deficits in the eighth, 10th and 12th innings. With the victory, they took sole possession of first place in the East, one game ahead of Miami and 1½ in front of New York. Atlanta looms two games behind with always dangerous Philadelphia five back.
Mets rookie Jeremy Hefner will take Johan Santana’s spot in the rotation. New York pushed Santana back to Friday’s Subway Series opener at Yankee Stadium after he threw 134 pitches in his no-hitter last Friday. Hefner will oppose the Nationals’ Edwin Jackson, who hasn’t won since April 14 and has received three runs of support in his last three outings – all quality starts (0-2, no-decision).
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jeremy Hefner (1-2, 5.60 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Edwin Jackson (1-3, 3.17 ERA)
Hefner won his first major league game in his second career start last Tuesday when he allowed three runs in six innings in the Mets’ 6-3 victory over Philadelphia. He also collected his first major league hit – a solo home run which gave New York a 4-2 lead in the fourth inning. Hefner was roughed up by light-hitting San Diego in his first start on May 24 when he allowed six runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Jackson has allowed more than three runs in only two of his 10 outings, but Washington has scored only 30 runs in the games he has started. He has an excellent WHIP of 1.03 and opponents are hitting .219 against him. Jackson faced the Mets on April 9 and received a no-decision when he allowed three runs in five innings in New York’s 4-3 victory. The Mets’ roster is batting .242 against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Harper is 5-for-12 in his last three games to raise his average to .288.
2. The teams combined to use 12 relievers Tuesday – seven by Washington.
3. The Nationals have won seven of the last eight meetings, including three of four this season.