Mets 6 - 3 Nationals
Final
  for this game

Mets hope to continue winning streak in D.C.

Apr 27, 2011 - 2:43 PM (Sports Network) - Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey takes the hill for the streaking New York Mets tonight when they continue a three-game series with the host Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.

The Mets won their fifth straight game in Tuesday's series opener, when Josh Thole hit a two-run double and drove in three in a 6-4 triumph. Carlos Beltran and David Wright also each drove in a run for New York, which began the season at 4-4 before a 1-9 stretch that preceded the latest success.

Ryota Igarashi (1-0) recorded the final out of the fifth for the win in relief of Chris Young. Activated from the 15-day disabled list just before game time, Young lasted just 4 2/3 innings and was charged with four hits and three runs, but also drove in one.

Wilson Ramos hit a pair of homers and Jayson Werth also went deep for the Nationals, who have dropped five of six.

Jordan Zimmermann (1-4) allowed nine hits and five runs over his 5 1/3-inning start.

Dickey, who turned 36 in October, faces the Nationals for the second time this season and eighth time in a career that began when he was a first-round pick - 18th overall - by the Texas Rangers in 1996.

He opened the 2011 season with a 9-2 win at Florida, then dropped a 6-2 verdict at home against Washington after allowing six hits and three runs in five innings of work. He's picked up two losses and a hold in two starts and a relief outing since, and has allowed 28 hits and 12 earned runs in 26 1/3 combined innings.

The Nashville native is 1-2 with a hold in the seven previous encounters with the Nationals, posting a 4.40 earned run average across 28 2/3 innings while allowing a .273 batting average.

Washington goes with lefty Tom Gorzelanny, who also gets his second start of the season against the Mets.

The 28-year-old was touched for four hits and five earned runs - with eight strikeouts - in a 5 1/3-inning stint on April 9 at Citi Field, dropping an 8-4 decision.

He's 2-4 in 10 career games against the Mets - six starts - with a 5.70 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 30 innings.

The loss in New York was his initial outing of 2011 and has been followed by a no-decision in a 4-3 Nationals win over Milwaukee and a 5-0 loss at St. Louis in which he allowed just two hits and two runs in five innings.

Washington and New York split 18 matchups last season.






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