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Nationals go for second straight win after losing streak

Apr 15, 2008 - 2:00 PM Washington (4-9) at NY Mets (5-6) 7:10 pm EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) - The Washington Nationals hope to build on their first win in over a week when they visit the New York Mets on Tuesday.

The Nationals stopped a nine-game losing streak with Sunday's 5-4 victory over Atlanta. Ryan Zimmerman had two RBI and Lastings Milledge recorded three hits in the win.

The contest will mark the return to Shea Stadium for the once-heralded Milledge, who was traded to Washington in exchange for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider in the offseason. The 23-year-old Milledge hit 11 home runs in 115 games over two seasons for the Mets.

Odalis Perez (0-2, 4.91 ERA) looks to snap a personal two-game losing streak when he takes the mound for the Nationals, after giving up two runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings in Thursday's 4-3 loss to St. Louis.

Perez is 4-5 with a 4.02 in 16 career games - nine starts - against the Mets.

New York comes in riding a two-game losing skid after dropping a pair of contests to Milwaukee over the weekend.

The Mets hit into five double plays in a 9-7 loss on Sunday, leaving 10 men on base. David Wright hit his third home run of the season, while Schneider drove in three runs in the setback.

Mike Pelfrey (1-0, 3.60) looks to get New York back on track after winning his first start of the season. The young righthander gave up just two runs and five hits over five innings in Wednesday's 8-2 victory over Philadelphia.