Mets Try to Even Series With Second Place Nationals

NEW YORK-- Nobody would have guessed that on May 11, the Mets would be trailing the Nationals in the NL East. In fact, a lot of people predicted in spring training that the Mets would be in second to last, above the Nationals. Now, the Mets enter Tuesday's game trying to get even with them.

They wasted a solid effort out of John Maine on Monday and will now hand the ball to Jon Niese, who's been decent this season.

In his last start in Cincinnati last Wednesday, Niese went six innings, allowing four runs on an atrociously bad 12 hits. He also struck out four, but allowed two home runs.

So far in his young career, Jon is 3-3, going 1-1 in each of 2008, 2009, and this season. He'll try to do his part to make sure the Mets can win the series on Wednesday afternoon.

The problem is though, the entire Mets offense is cold with RISP. They went 1-for-12 in that department in Monday's loss.

Opposing him will be former Marlin Scott Olsen. In Olsen's last start on Thursday, he nearly no-hit the Atlanta Braves. David Ross broke it up in the eighth. The Nationals, who are dominant in close games (8-3 in one-run games), went on to win that game.

Olsen was traded along with Josh Willingham two offseasons ago, due in large part to temper issues. Scott Olsen actually closed out Shea Stadium for the Marlins in 2008, when he defeated Oliver Perez.

The Mets would like to avoid losing the first two series of the year to the Nationals. The Mets have lost two key players to ejection over the last two games. David Wright on Sunday, and Jose Reyes (along with Jerry Manuel) on Monday. There is a major reason for frustration right now.

The Mets aren't getting the clutch hits, and all key players are at fault. It starts with Jason Bay, who struck out to end last night's loss with Alex Cora trying to steal second base.

The Mets with last night's loss, fell to second place behind the Nationals in the NL East, and with the Phillies win, now trail Philadelphia by three games.

If one thing is going to derail this Mets team, it will be the lack of clutch hitting.

Jon Niese vs. Washington (career)

Has never faced the Nationals

Scott Olsen vs. New York (career)

1-6, 4.61 ERA, 82 IP, 93 hits, 25 BB, 61 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Washington)

April 9: New York 8, Washington 2

April 10: Washington 4, New York 3

April 11: Washington 5, New York 2

May 10: Washington 3, New York 2

Nationals lead series 3-1