Flushing, NY – Dillon Gee tossed six solid innings, Daniel Murphy and Marlon Byrd each scored twice and the Mets tallied all their runs in the middle innings to take a 5-1 victory from the Washington Nationals.
The Mets lost the opener of this three-game series on Friday after the bullpen spoiled another dominant outing from Matt Harvey, but received three scoreless innings of relief Saturday to finish off Gee's fourth win in five decisions.
After getting rocked in his last start, Gee (6-7) limited the Nationals to six hits and three walks. He was charged with one run and struck out four to improve to 6-1 in nine career starts against the Nationals.
"It just seems like we're playing with a little bit more fire now," said Gee, whose team is 9-5 in their last 14 games. "Its awesome."
Murphy had three hits, while Byrd and John Buck each knocked in a run. Eric Young Jr. and Kirk Nieuwenhuis each had a sacrifice fly in the victory.
In his major league debut, Taylor Jordan (0-1) became the culprit of three errors by the Nationals' defense. He was charged with three runs -- one earned -- on five hits and two walks over 4 1/3 innings.
"He battled out of a tough situation, he pitched good," said Washington manager Davey Johnson.
Kurt Suzuki had three of Washington's seven hits and knocked in his team's only run.
Roger Bernadina just missed a home run in the fourth when his two-out shot into right knocked off the top of the wall for a double. The Nationals still went on to score, however, and took the lead on Suzuki's soft liner into left.
An error from Ryan Zimmerman preceded a walk to Josh Satin in the bottom half, putting Jordan in his first jam. Buck tied the score at 1-1 with a one-out single into left, but New York later left the bases loaded.
More poor defense from the Nationals ensued in the fifth with Murphy on second base. Zimmerman botched a grounder from Byrd, with it kicking off his glove into shallow left. Shortstop Ian Desmond tried to get Murphy going to third, but his throw sailed wide of the bag and Murphy scored easily.
Jordan's day came to an end after a single from Satin put runners at the corners. Craig Stammen took the hill and promptly served up a sac fly to Nieuwenhuis to push New York's lead to 3-1.
Scoring for the third straight inning, the Mets produced two more runs in the sixth. Omar Quintanilla led off with a double and later scored on Young's sac fly. Murphy then tripled and Byrd knocked him in to open up a 5-1 lead.
Gee forced a double-play in each of his last two innings before Carlos Torres took the mound and fired two scoreless frames. LaTroy Hawkins pitched the ninth and got Suzuki to ground into a game-ending double play.
Game Notes
Young extended his hitting streak to eight games ... New York improved to 15-22 against the NL East this season ... The Mets extended a franchise record to 28 consecutive home game without scoring more than five runs ... The Nationals have lost 14 of their last 21 road games ... Zimmerman walked three times ... Jordan went 9-1 in the minor leagues this season before his call up from Double-A Harrisburg.
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