Nationals Drop Mets; 4th Straight Loss

The Mets could have done a favor for R.A. Dickey on Monday by beating up on fellow Cy Young Award candidate Gio Gonzalez. Of course they did not.

Collin McHugh got the start for the Mets, and he did not have it. Leading off the third inning, Kurt Suzuki hit a foul pop that Kelly Shoppach dropped. So Suzuki got to continue his at bat on the error, and of course he hit a home run to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead. With two outs in the inning McHugh walked Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman followed with a homer to make it 3-0. All of the runs were unearned.

Ian Desmond resumed the home run parade in the fourth with a two-run shot to make it 5-0.

The Mets finally got a hit against Gonzalez in the bottom of the fourth and it was a big one — a solo shot into the seats in left by Scott Hairston to make it 5-1.

McHugh was lifted for a pinch hitter after just four innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks. It was his second straight rough outing after his incredible debut.

Gonzalez made it through six innings. He only allowed three hits but he walked five Mets. He is the first pitcher to 19 wins. His ERA fell to 2.93, which is good for fifth in the NL. Still though, Dickey leads the league with a 2.64 ERA and he’ll try to match Gonzalez with his 19th win on Tuesday.

Mets lose 5-1, their fourth loss in a row.