Bryce Harper is back in the New York groove

FLUSHING, N.Y. - The Mets entered the ninth inning last night with the game still in reach, trailing by three runs. But any hopes of a late comeback were crushed in one swing of the bat by right fielder Bryce Harper's bases-loaded three-run double that featured a rare double slide at the plate from third baseman Yunel Escobar and left fielder Jayson Werth. Harper, the team's most explosive player, once again delivered the game's most exciting play.

"We had another Nats-car going for us," Harper said. "I think being able to get those three runs there in the ninth inning gave us a little cushion, and we were excited."

It's nothing for new for Harper, who has starred in the bright lights of New York since arriving on the scene in 2012. In 22 games at Citi Field, Harper has slammed more homers (six) and produced more RBIs (22) than at any other opposing team's ballpark. Just as the Nats have dominated the Mets on their home field, Harper has slashed .310/.385/.583.

"I love coming here and playing," Harper said. "I don't know what it is. I absolutely love coming to New York and playing against them."

Harper's success against the Mets extends beyond the venue as his 11 homers and 31 RBIs against them are most versus any team in his career.

The win gave the Nationals their second three-game winning streak of the season and allowed them to pull within five games of the National League East division-leading Mets with three more games still left in the series this weekend.

"We're just having fun," Harper said. "I think being able to go out there and know that it was gonna come and know that we compete every single day and we come in here with the belief that we're gonna win ballgames. Sometimes the ball just doesn't roll your way. So being able to come in here and do what we did the past three games and put up the kind of runs we have. ... It's nice to see."

Harper's clutch hit in the ninth last night capped off a stellar opening month of the season for the 22-year-old. Heading into May, he leads or is tied for the team lead in virtually every offensive category: five home runs, 1st; 42 total bases, 1st; 22 hits, tied-1st, 15 RBIs, tied 1st.

It's a common theme for Harper, who's typically quick out of the gates with a career .309 batting average in April.

"I just hopefully keep going," Harper said. "That's all I want to do. I just want to stay in the lineup. Stay healthy all year and hopefully play 150-160 games. That's all I care about, and as long as we're winning ball games, it's huge for us too. I love playing in April. I don't know why. I'm very comfortable in April. And hopefully I can feel comfortable the next five months, too."

Harper currently owns a streak of reaching base in 16 straight games, the longest of his career. Williams has mixed and matched his lineup with shortstop Ian Desmond, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and Werth in efforts of trying to find the right formula for the most sustained offense. Despite his strikeouts, Harper has been able to show remarkable discipline at the plate and continues to lead the majors with 22 walks.

"It's a little hard because you want to make contact," Harper said. "You want to be the guy that gets the RBIs and runs on the board but I have so much confidence in Zim and Desi and J-Dub and whoever's hitting behind me that night to get the job done. So it's just having confidence in the ability in the other guys on my team and, of course, if I get a pitch in my zone, I'm trying to do some damage with it."

Harper will have his hands full with Mets starter Matt Harvey tonight in what promises to be the power matchup around the game between two of the game's young, dynamic stars.