The New York Mets absolutely had to have Thursday's affair against the Washington Nationals. They got it.
The Amazins beat Washington, 9-5, at Nationals Park and snapped their six-game losing skid behind R.A. Dickey (13-1, 2.72 ERA) and David Wright.
Dickey wasn't superb, but he was very effective in his 7.1 innings of work. The knuckleballer extraordinaire surrendered four runs (three earned) on 10 hits, while striking out five batters and walking just one.
Conversely, Gio Gonzalez was battered early and often by New York. The lefty gave up six runs (all earned) in 3.1 innings on six hits and three walks, while watching two home runs get belted off him.
One of those bombs was in the first, a two-run shot by Wright. The second was off the bat of Ike Davis of the solo variety.
Wright also added another homer in the sixth off of Craig Stammen, another two-run blast to extend the Mets lead to 9-1. Overall, Wright ended the afternoon onslaught 2-for-4 with those two home runs and five RBI.
Ruben Tejada and Andres Torres were masterful at setting the table all day for Wright, with Tejada going 2-for-4 and scoring twice while Torres went 3-for-4 with a walk and scoring three runs of his own.
The Mets were able to stay above .500 and now head home for a crucial three-game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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