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Mets look to avoid repeat of '07 vs. Nationals

Sep 15, 2008 - 2:10 PM NY Mets (83-65) at Washington (56-93) 7:10 p.m. EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- With the nightmare of last September fresh in their minds, the New York Mets take a trip to a familiar foe, one that played a big part in their historic collapse last season, for a critical four-game series.

New York will take on the Washington Nationals on Monday as they cling to a one-game lead in the National League East with exactly two weeks remaining in the season.

After New York dropped 2-of-3 to the Atlanta Braves over the weekend, the Philadelphia Phillies (83-67) have closed to within one game in the standings. Philadelphia completed a four-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday to also pull into a tie for the NL wild card spot.

The Mets well-documented collapse in 2007, one in which they surrendered a seven-game lead with just 17 games remaining to the Phillies, took a step towards a repeat on Sunday when the bullpen allowed five runs to the Braves in the ninth inning en route to a 7-4 defeat.

Washington has taken just four of the previous 14 meetings with their division-rival this season, but played the role of spoiler in '07, taking 5-of-6 September meetings.

New York sends veteran Pedro Martinez (5-4, 5.44) in hopes that the 36-year-old can bounce back from a sub-par outing in his last start. Martinez allowed six runs and seven hits in just four innings of work in a 6-2 loss to the Phillies.

John Lannan (8-13, 4.09) gets the ball for the Nationals, looking to rebound from a beating at the hands of the Mets in his last start. The lefthander allowed five runs, eight hits - two homers - in just three innings as New York beat Washington, 10-8, on September 9.