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Nationals-Mets Preview

Sep 19, 2009 - 5:18 AM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Washington (50-96) at New York (63-84), 1:10 p.m. EDT

Another New York Mets' season is coming to a miserable end. This time, they're far from playoff contention and even a visit from the major's worst team couldn't break their slump.

The Mets will try again Saturday to snap their season-high losing streak and avoid a fourth straight defeat to the Washington Nationals.

New York led the NL East into September in 2007 and 2008, but faltered down the stretch and failed to make the playoffs both times.

This year, the Mets (63-85) are on pace for their first 90-loss season since ending 2004 at 71-91.

At the rate they're going, they'll likely reach that mark quickly as they've dropped six straight and 10 of 11 following Friday night's 6-5 defeat to Washington (51-96).

New York scored three runs in the ninth and had the tying run on third before Nationals reliever Mike MacDougal retired Jeff Francoeur for the final out.

"It's been that kind of season," manager Jerry Manuel said.

After snapping a three-game slide, Washington will try to earn its sixth victory since Aug. 28 behind John Lannan (9-11, 4.08 ERA), who is attempting to set a career high for wins.

Lannan earned his first victory in more than a month Sunday by allowing one run over five innings at Florida. The left-hander could win consecutive starts for the first time since June 28-July 4 if he can continue his recent dominance of New York.

Lannan is 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA in the last four matchups and recorded his only two career complete games in his past two starts against the Mets, including his first shutout - a seven-hitter - on July 21.

However, he's 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in four road starts against New York and gave up five runs over five innings May 25 in his only outing at Citi Field.

The Mets will counter with former Nationals pitcher Tim Redding (2-6, 5.52), who is trying to avoid dropping his third straight start. Aside from getting eight runs in Florida on Aug. 27, Redding hasn't received much support since returning to the rotation Aug. 22.

The Mets have scored four runs in his other four starts, and the right-hander suffered the loss in Sunday night's 1-0 defeat at Philadelphia despite yielding one run and three hits over six innings.

Like Lannan, he's struggled in New York by going 1-3 with a 6.21 ERA in six starts there this season with losses in two of his last three home outings.

Redding has never faced the Nationals in New York but allowed one run over six innings June 5 in Washington while failing to record a decision.

He had two wins over Montreal with Houston in 2002 and 2003, and is 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA in four starts against the franchise.

The Nationals haven't won four straight over the Mets since Aug. 21-Sept. 15, 2005, and are 5-8 versus New York this season.