The New York Mets could have used a four-strike count Wednesday, but the end result against Washington Nationals' ace Stephen Strasburg would probably be the same. Strasburg pitched seven brilliant innings, allowing one run, four hits and struck out 11 batters, to help the Nats' earn a 5-2 victory over the Mets, who were swept for the second straight time in less than a week at Citi Field.
Losing pitcher Jeremy Hefner was solid giving up three runs in six innings, but the Mets' offense managed just four hits and struck out a total of 12 times.
Ahead 3-1 in the top of the seventh inning, Washington's Adam LaRoche collected the decisive blow to New York as he belted a towering two-run home run to push the Nats' lead to 5-1.
The Mets tacked on a run in the bottom of the eighth inning, but it was too little, too late as the Nats bullpen buckled down to allow a total of one hit over three innings.
Ike Davis collected his 16th home run of the season in the second inning.
New York will now travel West to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks, who will host the Mets for a four-game series beginning Thursday at 9:40 p.m. ET.
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