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Nationals spoil Mets' home opener

Apr 9, 2011 - 3:09 AM Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Ivan Rodriguez's two-run single highlighted a three-run eighth inning, as the Washington Nationals downed the Mets, 6-2, spoiling New York's home opener at Citi Field.

Rick Ankiel collected three hits and scored twice for Washington, which won its second straight game. Jordan Zimmermann (1-1) gave up two runs on six hits and struck out four in 5 1/3 innings. He also stroked a two-run single.

R.A. Dickey (1-1) allowed three runs on six hits and five walks over five full frames for the Mets, who have lost three in a row after beginning the season 3-1.

New York finished 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

"I think there's a couple guys trying to do too much and we just got to do a better job of making solid contact," said Mets manager Terry Collins.

Washington pushed three runs home in the eighth to increase its lead to 6-2. With the bases loaded and one out, Rodriguez grounded a single to right field off Bobby Parnell, scoring pinch-runner Laynce Nix and Ankiel. Ian Desmond plated another run on a groundout.

The Nationals jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Washington loaded the bases after Dickey retired the first two batters and Zimmermann helped his own cause with a liner to right field. Rodriguez, though, was thrown out at third base to end the frame.

New York halved its deficit in the fourth on Ike Davis' sacrifice fly, but Washington got the run back in the fifth on a bases-loaded walk to Mike Morse. Ankiel then grounded into an inning-ending double play as Dickey avoided further damage.

The Mets closed to within 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth when Josh Thole scored on a double by pinch-hitter Lucas Duda that landed squarely on chalk down the right-field line.

New York threatened again in the seventh after stranding a runner on third in the previous frame.

Washington reliever Chad Gaudin issued back-to-back walks to Brad Emaus and Thole to begin the inning and was replaced by Tyler Clippard after a sacrifice bunt by pinch-hitter Chin-Lung Hu. Clippard preserved Washington's one-run lead by striking out Jose Reyes and retiring Angel Pagan on a soft tapper back to the mound.

Game Notes

The Mets fell to 31-19 in home openers...Dickey went 7-3 with a 1.99 ERA at Citi Field last season...Washington was 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position.