Harper crushes another homer (Mets won 6-5 in 12 innings)

Attempting to snap a four-game losing streak, the Nationals wanted to jump start their offense on a chilly Sunday night before a nationally televised audience.

Of course, it had to be No. 34 first in line for the super charge.

Bottom of the first after a one-out single from Anthony Rendon, Bryce Harper blasted a 1-1 Matt Harvey pitch over the right field wall just inside the foul pole. The Nats had the early lead 2-0. It was the seventh time in the Nats first nine games they have scored at least one run in the first inning.

Six of Harper's first eight hits have been home runs.

Tanner Roark has allowed a base hit in each of the first two innings - a Jay Bruce double in the first and a single for Harvey in the second - but has been able to get the Mets out before they plated a run.

After two innings, the Nats lead the Mets 2-0.

Update: The third inning turned into a nightmare for Roark. With two outs, he walked the bases loaded to Bruce, Todd Frazier and Asdrúbal Cabrera. Following a mound visit, Adrián González crushed a grand slam over the right center field wall, his first homer of the season.

After three innings, the Mets lead the Nats 4-2.

Update: Nats chip away in the fourth. Howie Kendrick singled and was erased by a Trea Turner fielder's choice grounder to second. With two outs, Pedro Severino singled to left field to score Turner. Roark reached on a Harvey fielding error. Adam Eaton was hit by pitch to load the bases. Rendon skied a fly ball to deep left field for the out, but close to a grand slam. But the Nats get one back.

After four innings, the Mets lead the Nats 4-3.

Update: Roark appeared to have bounced back, striking out 5 of 6 hitters he faced at one point. But then in the fifth with two outs, Asdrúbal Cabrera hit a solo shot.

Harper has three hits in the game, 3-for-3 with a home run, following another single in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Turner brought him home with a run-scoring single. Turner stole second. Michael A. Taylor beat out a dribbler between the mound and first base for a base hit. But Turner was caught off of third base to end the frame: first to third to catcher.

Roark lasted five innings, allowed five runs on five hits with four walks and nine strikeouts. He threw 100 pitches, 61 for strikes.

Harvey also went five innings, allowed four runs on nine hits with one walk and two strikeouts. He threw 85 pitches, 57 for strikes.

After five, the Mets lead the Nats 5-4.

Update: It has not been the start to the season Taylor had hoped for at the plate. Maybe Sunday night's at-bat in the seventh will spark a change to that beginning. Taylor laced a RBI single through the infield between third and short to score Kendrick from third to tie the game. The Nats have 11 hits through seven innings.

After seven innings, the Mets and Nats are tied at 5-5.

Update: Facing Seth Lugo in the bottom of the ninth, Harper was walked. Harper moved to second on a throwing error by Lugo, then Adams moved Harper to third with a fly ball to center field. Kendrick intentionally walked. Turner was also intentionally walked. Bases loaded for Taylor, who struck out. Severino struck out looking to end the threat.

Extra innings in D.C., the Mets and the Nats are tied at 5-5.

Update: In the 12th inning facing Brandon Kintzler, pinch-hitter Juan Lagares singled. An Amed Rosario sacrifice bunt moved Lagares to second. Céspedes muscled a single to left center to score Lagares. It was the first run the bullpen had allowed in 6 1/3 innings.

In the bottom of the 12th, Mets reliever Jacob Rhame got pinch-hitter Matt Reynolds to ground out to third base. Severino struck out looking.

Wilmer Difo kept the Nats alive with a double down the left field line.

But Eaton grounded out to short to end the game.

Final score: The Mets 6, the Nats 5 in 12 innings.

The Nats are below .500 mark at 4-5, having lost five in a row. The Mets complete the sweep.