The first-place Nationals (50-41) extended their lead to three games over the second-place Mets (48-45), who have lost their last three games to Washington after going 4-15 against the Nationals in 2014.
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The start today should do a lot for his confidence as the Mets are perfect volunteers to help a young pitcher feel really good about himself with the way their offense performs.
The story of the night was what the Washington offense was able to do to Harvey (8-7, 3.19 ERA), who gave up five runs, four earned, on five hits in seven innings.
Because Williams opted to give Scherzer a few days of rest to start the second half because of a large first-half workload, the team’s best pitcher will miss the Mets in Washington this week and in New York at the end of next week.
Then catcher Jose Lobaton made a fine catch against the railing near the Mets dugout on a pop foul hit by left fielder John Mayberry, Jr.
Alex Torres allowed a two-run homer in the eighth to Ian Desmond that all but iced the game for the Nationals.
Lagares had two hits and scored a run.
Harvey entered the game having thrown 16 scoreless innings in a row against the Nationals.
In the first, Yunel Escobar delivered an RBI single after one of Bryce Harper’s two walks.
There were six runs scored in the most recent three-game series between the teams, with the Nationals winning each of the last two 1-0. Later, on a pitch in the dirt, Harper took off from second and kept going, scoring while Escobar got caught in a rundown.
Then Daniel Murphy threw away a ground ball by Ian Desmond so Robinson scored too.
Indeed, it was Harvey (8-7) who drove in New York’s runs with a bases-loaded single in the fourth.
That’s a final! #Nats top the #Mets, 7-2, and take the first game of the series!
New York was also robbed in the fifth as center fielder Michael A. Taylor made a fine running catch on the warning track on a ball hit by first baseman Eric Campbell for the third out with two runners on base.
Zimmerman is one of four everyday Nationals now on the disabled list, along with left fielder Jayson Werth, infielder Anthony Rendon and center fielder Denard Span.
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Reigning NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom (9-6, 2.14 ERA) will make his first appearance for the Mets since his terrific All-Star outing – three strikeouts on only 10 pitches – and try to beat Washington for the first time. He only had a chance to start 3 games this season before he was sent back down, going 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA.
