Game 18: Washington Nationals 0, New York Mets 2

Nationals were their own worst enemy committing 3 errors in a 2-0 loss to the Mets. Jordan Zimmermann was out dueled by Dillon Gee who pitched 5.2 innings and gave up no runs.

Mar 8, 2013; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman

(6) against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training game at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Harper and Adam LaRoche reached base on singles in the first, but Nationals bats were not able to knock them home. Those two hits were the offensive high point of the afternoon.

The Nationals had trouble sustaining any offensive pressure on the Mets and stranded runners in the sixth and eight innings. The Nationals hopes faded like many of their fly balls today in the vast expanse of Citi Field.

Mets catcher John Buck crushed a home run off Jordan Zimmermann that eventually landed in the second deck of Citi Field. It was Buck’s seventh home run of the season as he continued his hot start. The Mets added an insurance run in the fourth on a Mike Baxter sarifice fly that scored David Wright. That would be more than enough for the Mets to secure the victory.

Anthony Rendon had a quiet debut for the Nats going 0-4 and misplayed an Ian Desmond throw.

The Nationals bullpen was solid in relief as Zach Duke and Henry Rodriguez pitched three scoreless innings to end the game.

The Nationals head back to Washington to begin a series with the Cardinals tomorrow. Dan Haren will take the mound for the Nats and face Cardinals rookie Shelby Miller.