Mets Lose Game to Nats, Juan Lagares to Injury

Another day, another Mets injury. On the same day we learned Matt Harvey and Neil Walker will be lost for several weeks, Juan Lagares fractured his left thumb on an attempted diving catch as the Mets lost to the Nationals Thursday night.

Bryce Harper got things started in the first inning with a laser beam of a solo home run into the seats in right.

Robert Gsellman wriggled out of trouble in the second when he got the final three outs after the Nationals got runners on second and third with no outs. And in the third, Juan Lagares saved him by gunning down a runner at the plate to end the inning.

The Nats added a run in the fourth, but the Mets got it back in the bottom of the inning when Yoenis Cespedes and Jay Bruce both doubled.

The Nationals broke it open with five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a Daniel Murphy triple (continuing his dominance of his former team with three hits) and a two-run homer by Michael Taylor, as the Nationals built a 7-1 lead. It was also the inning Lagares hurt his thumb. He’ll surely be gone for a while.

Rene Rivera led off the fifth with a home run to make it 7-2, but Josh Edgin, on for Gsellman in the sixth, let up a run to make it 8-2.

Gsellman allowed seven runs on 11 hits in five innings, with three strikeouts and two walks. His ERA for the season stands at an unseemly 5.50.

Wilmer Flores homered in the eighth to make it 8-3.

One highlight — newly recalled Rafael Montero pitched three perfect innings of relief.

Mets lose 8-3.