NEW YORK — Bryce Harper dented the New York Mets’ playoff position, connecting in the eighth inning for his 42nd home run that sent the Washington Nationals to a 3-1 win Saturday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.
The Mets’ fourth consecutive loss dropped them one game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the race for home-field advantage in their National League Division Series matchup next week. Each team has two games left.
Mets starter Noah Syndergaard struck out 10, giving up just two hits in seven innings in what amounted to a playoff tuneup on a misty, chilly day. The doubleheader was forced by a rainout on Friday night.
Harper hit a tiebreaking, two-run shot with two outs off Addison Reed (3-3). Acquired late in the season from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Reed hadn’t allowed a run in his first 15 appearances for the Mets.
Harper tied the Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado for the NL lead in home runs. The long drive to right field came right after second baseman Daniel Murphy bobbled a potential double-play grounder and gave Harper 99 RBI.
Rafael Martin (2-0) got one out as the Nationals ended a six-game skid against the Mets. Felipe Rivero worked the ninth for his second save.
Before the game, Mets manager Terry Collins talked about his team trying to regain its “edge.” Instead, they fell to 5-6 in their last 11 games.
Mets star David Wright struck out three times. When he fanned to finish the fifth, he flung his bat and slammed down his helmet so hard that it nearly bounced to the dugout.
Gio Gonzalez shut out the Mets on three hits for six innings. New York broke its 23-inning scoreless streak in the seventh on an RBI single by Juan Lagares off Matt Grace.
Harper began the day with a two-point lead over the Miami Marlins’ Dee Gordon in the NL batting race. As some fans chanted “Papelbon” — a reference to his recent dugout brawl with now-suspended teammate Jonathan Papelbon — the Nationals star was hit on the inside of the left shin by a pitch in the sixth.
Harper briefly went down on the dirt and Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud patted him on the back. Harper was checked by a trainer and stayed in the game.
Clint Robinson hit a home run for the Nationals in the seventh inning.
Collins planned to mix-and-match his lineups in the doubleheader. He started Lucas Duda and Murphy against Gonzalez in the opener, hoping the lefty-on-lefty matchups would help them prepare to face Dodgers ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw.
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