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Mets-Nationals Preview

Jul 1, 2010 - 6:24 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

New York (44-34) at Washington (34-45), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Johan Santana is still trying to find his rhythm after undergoing offseason elbow surgery. A visit to the last-place Washington Nationals could be just what the two-time Cy Young Award winner needs.

Santana looks to avoid losing his third straight start Thursday night when the New York Mets open a four-game series against the Nationals.

Santana (5-5, 3.55 ERA) saw his season come to an end last August due to bone chips in his throwing elbow. He recovered from surgery in time to be the Mets' 2010 opening day starter, allowing one run in six innings of a win over Florida.

The left-hander has been uncharacteristically inconsistent this season, however, posting his highest ERA since 2001 and going 1-3 with a 5.96 ERA in his last four starts.

"(Is he) frustrated? I don't know, but he's a competitor," catcher Rod Barajas told the team's official website. "He wants the ball every five days and when he doesn't pitch as well as he thinks he should, he takes it hard. I don't know if frustrated is the word, probably a little anger because he knows he has the stuff."

Manager Jerry Manuel feels Santana still needs time to adjust from offseason surgery.

"These guys coming off injuries, they're ready for the major leagues," manager Jerry Manuel said. "But it still takes a period of time in the major leagues to get the feel back."

Santana struggled again Saturday, giving up five runs in six innings of a 6-0 loss to Minnesota in his first meeting against his former club.

Santana will now try to re-establish his dominance of the Nationals (34-45). He didn't fare well in the last meeting April 11, surrendering five runs in five innings of a 5-2 home defeat. Prior to that, he had beaten them in five consecutive outings - three in Washington - behind a 2.73 ERA.

A strong outing from the ace could help New York (44-34) pull within one game of NL East-leading Atlanta.

Jose Reyes' status is in question after a stiff lower back ruled him out of Wednesday's 6-5 win over Florida in Puerto Rico. The shortstop, hitting .372 with five homers, 11 RBIs and 21 runs in his last 20 games, will be a game-time decision.

The Mets have dropped five of eight to the Nationals and are 1-6 in their last seven meetings in the nation's capital. The teams split a two-game set there from May 19-20.

The Nationals are at the bottom of the East, and have lost 12 of 15 after falling 4-1 at Atlanta on Wednesday. They're hitting .220 over that stretch while scoring three runs or fewer in 10 contests.

They're hoping a 10-game homestand leading into the All-Star break can help them show some improvement. Washington is 20-16 at Nationals Park.

"Things are going to change around," said catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who is 6 for 40 over 12 games. "We play good ball at home."

Livan Hernandez (6-4, 3.10) hasn't needed much offensive help during his dominant run in Washington. The right-hander is 4-1 with a 1.81 ERA in eight starts at Nationals Park with his last six resulting in Washington victories. The offense hasn't mustered more than three runs of support in any game during that win streak.

Hernandez wasn't nearly as effective Saturday, giving up five runs and 11 hits in six innings while not getting a decision in a 6-5 loss at Baltimore.

He's 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in two starts against the Mets this season - both Nationals wins.