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Lannan, Dukes propel Nationals past Mets

Sep 16, 2008 - 5:00 AM By Rich Dubroff PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The New York Mets are trying to forget about 2007 and, if they don't watch out, they'll be trying to forget about 2008 as well.

John Lannan allowed just one hit in seven innings and the Washington Nationals defeated the Mets, 7-2, on Monday night.

The loss by the Mets (83-66) cut their lead over the idle Philadelphia Phillies (83-67) to a half-game in the National League East.

"We didn't hit (and) we didn't pitch as well," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. "It was just a lot of different things. It was just a bad game, period, for us at this stage."

The Mets' third loss in their last four games and the subsequent reduction of their division lead has many recalling their epic collapse at the end of last season when they squandered a seven-game lead with 17 games to go to the Phillies.

However, Mets third baseman David Wright emphasized it was important for his team to have a short memory and not focus on the past.

"You've got to forget about this one and go out and get them tomorrow," Wright said. "There's no panic. We know what's at stake. This is a time where these little bumps in the road; we've got to keep them to a minimum. We can't allow this to carry over the next couple of games."

Lannan (9-13), who has never pitched more than 7 1/3 innings in a contest, came one out short of matching his longest outing - allowing a leadoff double to Brian Schneider in the third. The lefthander, who stated he leaned on his changeup quite often, walked three and struck out seven in 97-pitch outing.

"I never tried (to throw changeups that much before)," Lannan said. "This was a great learning experience today."

He said he enjoys pitching against contenders like the Mets and Phillies.

"It's going to be a little more intense," Lannan said.

With the Nationals leading 4-1 in the seventh, Elijah Dukes' three-run blast provided more than enough insurance for the hosts.

Lastings Milledge also contributed three hits for Washington, which ended a five-game slide.

The Nationals scored a run in the first off Pedro Martinez (5-5), who allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings of work.

"It was basically being patient and making him (Martinez) throw the ball over the plate," Washington manager Manny Acta said. "He's still tough."

"I struggled a little bit with the strike zone," Martinez said. "Without a doubt, there were some pitches that I thought I should have gotten, and I didn't. (But) that's no excuse, either."

Willie Harris led off with a walk and advanced to third on Cristian Guzman's single to right, scoring when Ryan Zimmerman bounced into a double play.

After the Mets tied the score in the third, Washington took a 2-1 lead in the following frame when Milledge led off with a double. With one out, Aaron Boone lofted a soft single just over second baseman Luis Castillo's glove to score Milledge.

The Nationals bumped their lead when Zimmerman led off with a single and Dukes walked with one out.

Following a groundout from Boone, Anderson Hernandez - who was traded to Washington for reliever Luis Ayala on August 20 - grounded a single past second baseman Luis Castillo and into right field to score Zimmerman and Dukes.