Mets try to hang with Nationals
NEW YORK -- New York Mets manager Terry Collins believes he has a team that can contend with the Washington Nationals for the National League East title. But with 145 games to play, the Mets might already be running short on time -- and bodies -- to keep pace with the Nationals.
The Nationals will look to lengthen their early season lead over the Mets on Saturday afternoon, when the two teams play the middle game of a three-game series at Citi Field. Washington (11-5) won the opener 4-3 on Friday in 11 innings to move 3 1/2 games ahead of New York (8-9).
The Mets fielded a lineup missing four Opening Day starters.
First baseman Lucas Duda (left elbow) was placed on the 10-day disabled list. Left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (left hamstring) is expected to miss the series with an injury suffered Thursday. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (left hamstring) and catcher Travis d'Arnaud (right wrist) are each day to day, though both players were able to pinch-hit on Friday.
"I've got a good team," Collins said of the Mets, who have lost six of seven since a 7-3 start. "They're only good when they're playing. We've been through it before."
Eight of the Mets' 10 Opening Day starters last season (they opened the campaign at the Kansas City Royals in a rematch of the 2015 World Series) spent time on the disabled list.
"It's frustrating, the fact that I know we're better than what's going on right now," Collins said.
The Nationals, meanwhile, are getting healthier. Second baseman Daniel Murphy returned to the lineup after missing Thursday's game with a right leg injury. Shortstop Trea Turner was activated from the 10-day disabled list. Turner, who missed 11 days with a right hamstring injury, didn't start but drew a bases-loaded walk to force him the go-ahead run in the 11th inning. He is expected to start Saturday.
Left fielder Jayson Werth (left groin) missed his second straight game, but Nationals manager Dusty Baker said Werth was feeling better and could return for Sunday's series finale.
The additions of Turner and Werth should provide a boost to the Nationals, who are in the midst of a stretch of 26 games in 27 days.
"We had low energy," Baker said after Friday's win. "But the guys kept pushing and pushing. And that's what these guys are all telling each other -- just keep pushing and good things can happen. And (they) did for us tonight."
The Mets' injury bug may dictate who they send to the mound on Saturday. Right-hander Jacob deGrom, who was scheduled to start Friday before he was scratched due to a stiff neck, is the listed starter.
Collins said left-hander Sean Gilmartin would start if deGrom, who said Friday he still had trouble turning his neck to the left, is unable to go.
DeGrom is 2-2 with a 3.12 ERA in seven career starts against the Nationals.
Gonzalez is 11-5 with a 3.04 ERA in 20 career starts against the Mets but 8-1 with a 1.64 ERA and one complete game -- a one-hit shutout on Sept. 9, 2013 -- in 13 starts at Citi Field.
