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Mets look to rebound after weekend sweep

Sep 17, 2007 - 1:50 PM NY Mets (83-65) at Washington (66-83) 7:05 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The New York Mets had a chance to effectively put away the National League East over the weekend and failed. They hope they can back on the winning track on Monday as they begin a three-game set with the Washington Nationals.

The Mets hopes to rebound after being swept in a three-game series by the Phillies over the weekend. With Sunday's 10-6 setback to Philadelphia (80-69), the Mets saw their division lead cut to 3 1/2 games.

Brian Lawrence (1-2, 6.31 ERA), who will be taking the rotation spot of injured starter Orlando Hernandez, gets the start. He will be looking to end a four-game winless streak that was extended in his last start on August 27 in which he surrendered five runs and 10 hits over 4 2/3 innings in a 9-2 loss to the Phillies.

The righthander has not faced the Nationals franchise since 2003.

The Nationals counter with Tim Redding (3-5, 3.42), who will make first start in 12 days. He tossed a season-low 2 1/3 innings against Florida before leaving with a right elbow contusion.

The righthander is 1-0 with a 3.13 ERA in four lifetime starts and one relief appearance against the Mets.