• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Mets-Nationals Preview

May 20, 2010 - 3:39 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

New York (19-21) at Washington (20-20), 7:05 p.m. EDT

There was no inside-the-park home run or any extraordinary defensive plays from Adam Dunn, but his presence in the lineup after missing some time did seem to help the Washington Nationals settle down at the plate.

After overcoming an outstanding individual effort from Angel Pagan to snap a five-game losing streak, the Nationals look to win their seventh straight at home over the New York Mets on Thursday night.

Washington (21-20) was limited to 10 runs during its skid, with Dunn missing the last two games due to an undisclosed ailment. Back in his usual cleanup spot, Dunn had a single and two walks as the Nationals ended their woes at the plate with a 5-3 victory in the opener of this two-game set Wednesday night.

It was a much-needed victory for Washington, which had Pagan's stellar game to contend with. Pagan hit an inside-the-park home run and started a triple play, becoming the first player in 55 years to take part in both feats in the same game, but it didn't help the Mets (19-22) avoid their ninth loss in 11 games.

"He's probably our best athlete. ... Over the years, he's been off the charts in that area," manager Jerry Manuel said.

The Nationals franchise has won six straight at home against the Mets for the first time since a 10-game run from 2002-03, when it was based in Montreal.

Washington, which has a 1.83 ERA during its streak against New York, is now set to send Luis Atilano (3-0, 3.90) to the mound.

Atilano didn't receive a decision after giving up three runs and walking four in five innings of a 4-3 loss at Colorado in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday. The rookie right-hander has been mostly effective since being called up from Triple-A Syracuse on April 23, surrendering three runs or fewer in four of five outings.

Atilano earned a win in his first start against the Mets, striking out five in 5 1-3 scoreless innings of a 3-2 victory May 10.

Mets slugger David Wright, who went 1 for 3 against Atilano, will likely be back in the lineup after missing a game for the first time this season Wednesday. Wright was given a break after striking out three times and making a game-ending error the previous evening in a 3-2 loss to Atlanta.

Manuel made another lineup change in hopes of helping New York end its struggles. Rookie first baseman Ike Davis was moved to cleanup for the first time in his career.

Davis is hitting .272 with four home runs and 11 RBIs in 28 games.

"I think we're going to try to leave (Davis) there for a while," Manuel said. "I think he's ready to handle that."

The Mets may need a big game from their new cleanup hitter if John Maine (1-3, 6.13) struggles again.

Maine gave up six runs, seven hits and walked five in five innings of a 7-5 loss to Florida on Saturday. The right-hander went 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA in his previous three starts.

Maine is 8-4 with a 4.11 ERA in 14 starts against the Nationals.