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Hernandez, Mets aim for sweep of Nationals

Aug 19, 2007 - 1:31 PM Ny Mets (69-53) at Washington (55-68) 1:35 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - Orlando Hernandez takes the hill as the New York Mets aim for a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

Luis Castillo homered and David Wright drove in a two runs as the Mets posted a 7-4 victory on Saturday, for their 19th win in the last 24 games here.

Hernandez (7-4,3.12 ERA), who is making his first career start in Washington, would like to benefit from their success here. The 37-year-old righthander, who is 3-0 with a 2.96 ERA in his last seven starts, has not won since July 28.

New York, which leads the Philadelphia Phillies (65-57) by four games in the National League East, suffered another injury as Damion Easley sprained his ankle on Saturday. The Mets are already without Paul Lo Duca (hamstring) and Carlos Delgado (knee).

Despite the slew of injuries, the Mets, who have the majors' best road record at 37-26, have won five of six and scored 45 runs during that span.

They will face a stern test against Shawn Hill (3-3, 2.41), who allowed just one hit over seven scoreless innings with a career-high seven strikeouts against a potent Philadelphia lineup in a 3-2 loss on Tuesday. It was the righthander's first start since missing three months with a sprained right elbow.