Nats ride momentum into May after impressive team win

FLUSHING, N.Y. - On the final day of the season's first month, suddenly the vibe has changed around the Nationals after tonight's 8-2 win. The team handed the Mets their first loss this season at Citi Field.

For the third straight night, the Nats pounded out double-digit hits, led by the heart of their lineup. Third baseman Yunel Escobar, left fielder Jayson Werth, right fielder Bryce Harper and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman combined to go 9-for-18 and drive in all eight runs for the Nationals.

"We're providing those opportunities like we have all season but in the last three days we're getting some hits behind it," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "Whether it's being disciplined at the plate and getting a walk... The guys in the middle of our lineup have really started to feel better about it. Jayson's feeling better. Bryce has been really good. Zim is feeling better and the timing is coming. So that all helps. I think we've just put together so many innings and that's the key for us."

Williams received a solid start from right-hander Stephen Strasburg. After laboring through the first two innings that included 50 pitches thrown and two runs given up, Strasburg rebounded to retire 10 consecutive Mets hitters.

"Good curveballs on the corners," Williams said. "Fastball where he wanted it. Really got into the groove in the middle of the game. He composed himself. He settled in nicely and got us through the innings that he needed to get us through."

Strasburg lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing just the two runs on six hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. He evened his record at 2-2. The sixth-year pitcher has seen plenty of ebbs and flows in his time with the Nats and believes Tuesday's historic comeback may have been just enough to wake this team up.

"I think looking back on that game when we were down 9-1 to Atlanta," Strasburg said. "For some reason, I don't think anybody really panicked then and we just kept playing hard. And I think that one was just so much fun to be a part of. So I just think we tried to keep that feeling rolling and hopefully we can do that tomorrow."

Three Nats relievers did the job after Strasburg departed, pitching 3 2/3 scoreless innings, led by the major league debut of left-hander Sammy Solis.

Williams called on the 26-year-old Solis to start the seventh inning.

"I'll tell you, I think I blacked out," said Solis. "I don't remember much of it. It was exciting running out there, I know that. But I don't remember much after the first pitch."

In a 5-2 game on the road against the National League East division leaders, Solis was composed and efficient. He pitched a quick seventh, getting Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson to strike out looking for his first official strikeout in the big leagues. Mets first baseman Lucas Duda got him for a hit in the eighth, but Solis calmly shut the door to complete two scoreless frames.

"He went out there and threw strikes from the first pitch and made 'em put the ball in play," said Williams. "So really nice debut for him. He was all smiles. He really enjoyed it."

Unfortunately, it wasn't all smiles in the Nats clubhouse, as center fielder Denard Span left the game in the sixth inning after feeling some discomfort around the area where he had core muscle surgery at the start of the Grapefruit League season.

"My intuition just told me, 'you know what, I think I just need to go ahead and cash it in and see if I can get some treatment on it and feel better tomorrow,'" Span said.

Williams indicated that Span will not be in Friday's lineup and Span said maybe Saturday's as well. He was 0-for-2 tonight with a walk, but just missed homering in his third straight game when the ball he smacked off Mets starter Jacob deGrom faded just foul in his first at-bat.

"He's been doing a lot out there," Williams said, smirking. "He's hitting balls over the fence and getting five hits and rushing for 1000 yards and you name it. He's doing it all."

The 10-13 Nationals enter the month of May five games behind the Mets with an epic showdown on tap Friday night between two premiere right-handers, Max Scherzer and Matt Harvey.