Gio Gonzalez strikes out five (Nats lose 8-3)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP

Score: Mets 8, Nats 3

Recap: Gio Gonzalez pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits with three walks and five strikeouts. The Nats finally got on the board in the sixth on a pair of doubles from center fielder Michael A. Taylor and right fielder Clint Robinson. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman followed with a single and the Nats scored all three runs during a two-out rally to pull ahead 3-1. But the Mets scored seven runs over the last three innings to erase the deficit.

Need to know: The Mets evened the game up with back-to-back homers off left-hander Jerry Blevins in the seventh. Blevins has now given up four home runs in just 7 1/3 innings this spring. Right-hander Craig Stammen didn't fare any better, giving up four runs on three hits, including a two-run homer to Mets outfielder Matt den Dekker, in just two-thirds of an inning.

On deck: Friday vs. St. Louis Cardinals in Viera, 1:05 p.m.
_______________

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals and Mets are locked in a pitchers' duel here at Space Coast Stadium. Nats shortstop Ian Desmond has the game's only hit and that came on an infield single in the first off Mets starter Matt Bowman.

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez has yet to give up a hit, but has walked three through four innings, to go along with four strikeouts. After surrendering back-to-back walks in the third, Gonzalez loudly screamed an obscenity in frustration. When the inning ended, he made his way straight to home plate umpire Ed Hickox for an explanation on today's strike zone. Gonzalez now has nine strikeouts in his last eight innings pitched over two games.

Left fielder Tyler Moore simply dropped what should've been the final out of the first inning on an easy fly ball by Mets first baseman Lucas Duda.

Update: Gonzalez finished the day without allowing a run on two hits, three walks and five strikeouts. In his last two starts, Gonzalez has pitched nine scoreless innings while only giving up four hits and four walks with 10 strikeouts.

Right-hander Tanner Roark followed Gonzalez to the mound in the sixth. After Mets left fielder John Mayberry Jr. led off with an infield single, third baseman Eric Campbell doubled him home for the game's first run.

The Nats answered with a two-out rally in their side of the inning. Center fielder Michael A. Taylor doubled off the right field wall to score catcher Wilson Ramos to tie the game. One batter later, right fielder Clint Robinson followed with another double to score Taylor and push the Nats ahead. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman added a RBI single to cap off the rally with the Nats up 3-1.

The lead didn't last long as lefty Jerry Blevins served up back-to-back solo homers to Mets shortstop Matt Reynolds and center fielder Juan Lagares. Blevins has now been tagged for four home runs in 7 1/3 innings this spring.

The Nats and Mets are tied 3-3 in the seventh.