NEW YORK -- Dillon Gee’s customary dominance against the Washington Nationals did not continue Tuesday.
A day after the Nats went deep five times in the series opener, Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche had solo shots over the first two innings against Gee.
Dillon Gee
#35 SP
New York Mets
2013 STATS
- GM29
W11
L10
BB43
K129
- ERA3.61
Washington ultimately produced four runs against Gee and held on for a 6-3 victory. The loss dropped the Mets 15 games under .500, matching their season low-water mark.
Matt den Dekker’s two-run single in the sixth pulled the Mets within a run and knocked out Jordan Zimmermann, but the Mets got no closer. Ex-Met Scott Hairston had a pinch-hit two-run homer in the ninth against Tim Byrdak, after Terry Collins decided to pull Frank Francisco after two batters. Zimmermann earned his league-leading 17th win.
Gee entered the game with a 7-2 record and 2.80 ERA in 11 career starts against Washington. He already had posted an MLB-high four wins against the Nats this season.
His final line: 6.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 2 HR.
A win would have allowed Gee to become only the fourth pitcher in major league history to post five wins in a season against the Washington/Montreal franchise, joining Russ Ortiz (2004), Jim Bibby (1980) and Jim Lonborg (1976).
Ouch: Justin Turner suffered a right hamstring injury rounding third base in the sixth inning on den Dekker’s double. Josh Satin replaced Turner at third base the following half-inning. The Mets later announced Turner had tightness in the hamstring.
Welcome home: In his second appearance for the Mets this season, and first game at Citi Field, Francisco allowed a single and recorded an out while facing two batters in the ninth. He then turned the ball over to Byrdak, who allowed the inherited runner to score on Hairston's homer.
What’s next: Zack Wheeler (7-4, 3.38 ERA) opposes right-hander Dan Haren (8-13, 5.23) at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday.
