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Mets-Nationals Preview

Jul 4, 2010 - 2:28 AM By CHRIS ALTRUDA STATS Editor

New York (45-35) at Washington (35-46), 1:35 p.m. EDT

Persistence has paid off for the Washington Nationals, who have a chance to take three of four games from their division rivals Sunday when they wrap up a series with the New York Mets.

Washington (36-46) has pushed every game against New York (45-36) to the final out, winning two in walkoff fashion. After a ninth-inning rally fell short Friday night in a 5-3 defeat, the Nationals got the job done Saturday with a three-run rally off Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez for a 6-5 victory.

Adam Dunn narrowly missed a game-ending homer, settling for a two-run double that was upheld by video replay to tie the score. Following an intentional walk, Ivan Rodriguez quickly ended the drama by slapping an opposite-field single to plate Ryan Zimmerman with the winning run.

"It shows what kind of team we are," Zimmerman said. "We've gone through some tough times, but we fight all the way to the end every game."

For Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez, the last two games have been an adventure. He picked off the potential tying run to end Friday's after yielding two hits, then had his worst outing of the season Saturday - giving up three runs, three hits and three walks while retiring only one batter.

"The freakin' worst performance I ever had in my entire life," K-Rod said after blowing his fourth save in 23 chances. "I should be ashamed of myself. So embarrassing."

After throwing 27 pitches, it appears unlikely Rodriguez will be available for this game, making it more imperative for Hisanori Takahashi (6-3, 4.24) to end his recent funk. The left-hander has been tagged for 12 runs and 17 hits - four of them home runs - over 9 2-3 innings in his last two outings after compiling a 3-1 record and 3.15 ERA in his first six starts after joining the rotation.

The Mets bailed Takahashi out Tuesday at Florida, rallying to tie the game and let their starter off the hook though they eventually fell 7-6. He allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings.

Craig Stammen (2-2, 5.13) tries to win consecutive starts for the first time in his career for the Nationals. After a stint at Triple-A to work on his mechanics, the right-hander limited Atlanta to two runs in 7 1-3 innings Tuesday for his first victory since April 19.

"It's part of the game," Stammen said of the minor league stint. "You're spitting fire. I wanted to do everything I could to make it short."

Stammen is 1-2 in four lifetime starts versus New York. He did not get a decision May 12 after allowing four runs in five innings of a 6-4 victory at Citi Field.

New York has suffered 13 losses in the opponent's final at-bat - three coming on this road trip. Shortstop Jose Reyes likely will miss his fifth straight game due to lower back tightness after not taking infield practice or batting practice prior to Saturday's loss.