Too many homers help Mets down Nats 5-3

Too many homers help Mets down Nats 5-3
The Mets' homers were the difference Saturday, as they beat the Nationals 5-3 to take the series. Michael Conforto hit a pair of homers, Jose Reyes connected in the ninth inning, and the Mets used five relievers to keep the Nationals at bay for their second win in a row in the weekend series. It was the first series loss at home for the Nats against the Mets since last May. Manager Dusty Baker said the critical round-trippers for the Mets, especially a two-run shot by Conforto off of starter...
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Opposite dugout: Mets scuffling as injury bug bites hard

Opposite dugout: Mets scuffling as injury bug bites hard
Manager: Terry Collins (7th season) Record: 8-13 Last 10 games: 1-9 Who to watch: RF Jay Bruce (.289 average with 6 HR, 14 RBIs); OF Michael Conforto (.302 average with 4 HR, 8 RBIs); 2B Neil Walker (17 hits, 27 total bases); SP Jacob deGrom (0-1, 2.55 ERA); RP Addison Reed (3.38 ERA, 4 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 0-3 Pitching probables: April 28: RHP Jacob deGrom vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN2April 29: RHP Zack Wheeler vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 1:05 p.m., MASN2April 30: TBA...
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Opposite dugout: Injuries, ineffectiveness plague middling Mets

Opposite dugout: Injuries, ineffectiveness plague middling Mets
Manager: Terry Collins (7th season) Record: 8-8 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: OF Michael Conforto (.320), C Travis d'Arnaud (.263, 9 RBIs), RF Jay Bruce (.293/.379/.638 with 6 HR, 14 RBIs), LF Yoenis Céspedes (6 HR, 10 RBIs), RHP Jacob deGrom (0-0, 1.89 ERA), RHP Matt Harvey (2-0, 2.45 ERA), RHP Addison Reed (4 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (7-12 in 2016) Pitching probables: April 21: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Jacob deGrom, 7:10 p.m., MASN April 22: LHP Gio Gonzalez...
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Opposite dugout: Injuries, ineffectiveness have hurt middling Mets

Opposite dugout: Injuries, ineffectiveness have hurt middling Mets
Manager: Terry Collins (7th season) Record: 8-7 (UPDATE) Last 10 games: 5-4 Who to watch: C Travis d'Arnaud, RF Jay Bruce, LF Yoenis Céspedes, RHP Jacob deGrom, RHP Matt Harvey, RHP Addison Reed Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (7-12 in 2016) Pitching probables: April 21: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Jacob deGrom, 7:10 p.m., MASN April 22: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Matt Harvey, 4:05 p.m., MASN April 23: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Zack Wheeler, 8:08 p.m., ESPN Inside the Mets: Fans in...
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It's early, but 10-game road trip provides Nats test of endurance

It's early, but 10-game road trip provides Nats test of endurance
It is still only April, but in any month this upcoming road trip would be a tough one. It's a 10-game, 11-day trip through Atlanta, New York and Denver. The Braves (5-6, winners of four straight) have a young team riding the emotion of opening a brand new baseball stadium they are proud to show the world. The Mets (7-6, losers of three straight) look to repeat their 2015 run to the World Series as the Nationals' toughest division rival. The Rockies (9-5, winners of two straight) have proven...
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A guide to first week of spring games in West Palm Beach with the Nationals

A guide to first week of spring games in West Palm Beach with the Nationals
The excitement of another baseball season arriving for the Nationals is ramped up with the new spring training facility - The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches - and the ease it will have on travel plans for fans. With the move to West Palm Beach, the Nationals have moved 126 miles south down Interstate 95 and closer to the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. The Nationals' first Grapefruit League game on the schedule is Feb. 25 at Port St. Lucie (45 miles northwest) against the Mets. Viera was 83 miles...
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What each NL East team needs this offseason

What each NL East team needs this offseason
The Chicago Cubs' agony is over. They are celebrating their first World Series championship since 1908 after beating the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in 10 innings at Progressive Field in Cleveland. And this might not be a one-time thing for the franchise of Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg and Ferguson Jenkins. The Cubs are built for the long haul. The Cubs have two free agents - Aroldis Chapman and Dexter Fowler - and plenty of money to retain them. They also have their entire infield - Kris Bryant,...
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Speier emotional for Baker after Nats beat Mets

Speier emotional for Baker after Nats beat Mets
Prior to Wednesday's series finale against the Mets, bench coach Chris Speier met with the media in the spot normally reserved for manager Dusty Baker. Speier was there because Baker was home due to a death in the family. Speier spoke about Baker as a manager, a close friend, a confidant, a trusted advisor and sometimes even a father figure to the Nationals. Speier said they would dedicate the next couple of games to Baker. On Wednesday, the Nationals found a way with shutout pitching and a...
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Game 146 lineups: Mets at Nats

Game 146 lineups: Mets at Nats
Following an emotional extra-inning comeback that fell just short in a 4-3 loss to division rivals, today's getaway couldn't be in better hands from a Nationals perspective than right-hander Tanner Roark. In his last matchup September 9 against the Phillies, Roark racked up six innings, scattering six hits and allowing one run, with two walks, one hit by pitch and eight strikeouts. He tossed 107 pitches, 71 for strikes. He is 14-8 with a 2.85 ERA. Ironically, the 2.85 ERA was the same mark he...
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Blevins solves Murphy this time, but Nats second baseman has delivered

Blevins solves Murphy this time, but Nats second baseman has delivered
Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy extended his hitting streak to 18 games against the Mets in a 10-inning 4-3 loss Tuesday night. He had a double and a single, but struck out with a man on first to end the game. Hitting streaks are nice, of course, but you can bet Murphy would give it all back for a base hit against Mets reliever Jerry Blevins in his last at-bat. Manager Dusty Baker said it's hard to fault Murphy in that situation, considering the multiple times this season he has carried...
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Ramos puts Nats on top early with double (Mets win 4-3 in 10)

Ramos puts Nats on top early with double (Mets win 4-3 in 10)
Right-hander A.J. Cole, making his second start against the Mets in 11 days, allowed a double and a walk in the first inning against New York. But the Mets' Jay Bruce flew out to center field to end the inning. In the second, Cole surrendered back-to-back singles to Rene Rivera and Noah Syndergaard with two outs. But Cole struck out leadoff hitter Jose Reyes for the second time in as many at-bats to end the threat. The Nationals scored a run in the second off of Syndergaard. Bryce Harper was...
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Murphy setting records as he stings former team

Murphy setting records as he stings former team
Second baseman Daniel Murphy collected a pair of hits early Monday night, beginning the Nats' 8-1 victory over the Mets with a single and then following up with a double in his second at-bat. He finished 3-for-5 and is now hitting .347. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Murphy now has a hit in all 17 games the Nationals have played against the Mets this season. Murphy tied three players who have had a 17-game hitting streak against the Mets: Rennie Stennett (1974), Luis Castillo (2002) and...
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Opposite dugout: Mets surging at right time for return to postseason

Opposite dugout: Mets surging at right time for return to postseason
Manager: Terry Collins (6th season) Record: 76-67 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: CF Yoenis Cespedes (.293 average with 30 HR, 78 RBIs); SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.277 average with 125 hits); RF Curtis Granderson (26 HR, 108 hits); RHP Noah Syndergaard (13-8 with 2.48 ERA); RHP Robert Gsellman (2-1 with 3.92 ERA). Season series vs. Nationals: 6-10 Pitching probables: September 12: RHP Rafael Montero vs. RHP Mat Latos, 7:05 p.m., MASNSeptember 13: RHP Noah Syndergaard vs. RHP A.J. Cole, 7:05...
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Opposite dugout: Mets in search of wild card berth

Opposite dugout: Mets in search of wild card berth
Manager: Terry Collins (6th season) Record: 69-65 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: CF Yoenis Cespedes (.297 with 27 HR, 68 RBIs), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.272 with 113 hits), RHP Bartolo Colon (12-7, 3.35 ERA), RHP Noah Syndergaard (12-7, 2.55 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (2.60 ERA with 44 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 4-9 Pitching probables: Sept. 2: RHP A.J. Cole vs. RHP Noah Syndergaard, 7:10 p.m., MASN2Sept. 3: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Robert Gsellman, 7:10 p.m., MASN2Sept. 4: RHP Max...
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Notes after the non-waiver trade deadline

Notes after the non-waiver trade deadline
The Cleveland Indians acquired a game-changing lefty, Andrew Miller, for their bullpen and an outfielder with a dependable bat, Brandon Guyer. The Texas Rangers picked up Jeremy Jeffress, Carlos Beltran and Jonathan Lucroy. So as the non-waiver trade deadline rumors end and the dust settles, the Rangers and Indians are the most improved teams in baseball. A couple of months after the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA championship, the Indians are set to make a...
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Opposite dugout: Mets playing better but still battling injuries (updated)

Opposite dugout: Mets playing better but still battling injuries (updated)
Manager: Terry Collins (6th season) Record: 46-38 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: CF Yoenis Cespedes (.299/.366/.581 with 21 HR, 51 RBIs), 2B Neil Walker (.259 with 15 HR, 35 RBIs), RF Curtis Granderson (15 HR, 27 RBIs), RHP Noah Syndergaard (9-2, 2.41 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (2.61 ERA with 30 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-6 Pitching probables: July 7: RHP Lucas Giolito vs. RHP Bartolo Colon, 7:10 p.m., MASN July 8: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP Noah Syndergaard, 7:10 p.m., MASN July...
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Opposite dugout: Mets aren't exactly cruising entering critical stretch before break

Opposite dugout: Mets aren't exactly cruising entering critical stretch before break
Manager: Terry Collins (6th season) Record: 40-34 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: CF Yoenis Cespedes (.287/.358/.566 with 18 HR, 45 RBIs), 2B Neil Walker (.265 with 14 HR, 30 RBIs), RF Curtis Granderson (13 HR, 21 RBIs), RHP Noah Syndergaard (8-2, 2.08 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (2.89 ERA with 26 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-3 Pitching probables: June 27: RHP Noah Syndergaard vs. RHP Joe Ross, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 28: RHP Matt Harvey vs. TBA, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 29: LHP Steven Matz vs....
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As expected, Nats and Mets wrap up first six games all even

As expected, Nats and Mets wrap up first six games all even
It was expected that the Nationals and Mets could go down to the wire battling for the National League East crown. After six matchups so far this season, nothing has changed. The Mets shut out the Nationals 2-0 in the Wednesday matinee before a sellout crowd of 37,800 at Nationals Park. The season series is now even at 3-3. The teams have 13 meetings remaining, with the next series in D.C. beginning June 27. "It makes us about even," manager Dusty Baker said after the loss. "We were half a...
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Mets get to Roark early (Mets win 2-0)

Mets get to Roark early (Mets win 2-0)
The Mets put David Wright back in the lineup and he delivered quickly. In the top of the first, Wright took a Tanner Roark 0-1 offering and drove it over the left field wall. The Mets lead 1-0. Roark allowed a single and a walk in the second. Before the Mets took the field for defense in the bottom of the first, Matt Reynolds entered the game at shortstop. Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was listed as the starter, but did not play because of back spasms. Mets left-hander Steven Matz got out of...
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Game 47 lineups: Mets at Nats

Game 47 lineups: Mets at Nats
The Nationals have a shot to repeat last week's series win in New York with a matinee matchup against the Mets. Last week, the Nationals lost the first game at Citi Field, before bouncing back to win two games in a row and the series. This week, the Nationals lost the first game against the Mets at Nationals Park 7-1 and then rebounded last night with a 7-4 victory, highlighted by five homers and 11 strikeouts from Stephen Strasburg. This will be Tanner Roark's first meeting with the Mets...
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