The Mets didn't want to get reversed swept by the Nationals on their home field. A nine-run eighth inning is definitely a way to avoid that. 

Down 4-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth, Michael Conforto and Yoenis Cespedes got things started with back-to-back singles. After an Asdrubal Cabrera single to load the bases, it was Todd Frazier that tied the game with an RBI single smashed back up the middle off Nats reliever Ryan Madsen. 

Now tied 4-4, Juan Lagares had bases loaded himself with two outs. With a two-strike count, he roped a double down the right field line to score two, giving the Mets their first lead of the game. 

For a full box score of the game, click here.

Things you should know about tonight's game...

1) The Mets scored nine runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to turn a 4-2 deficit into a 11-4 lead, capped by Yoenis Cespedes' grand slam. Todd Frazier tied the score with a two-run single and Juan Lagares gave New York its first lead of the game with a pinch-hit, two-run double after Wilmer Flores had struck out for the second out with the bases loaded.

Mets LHP Steven Matz was rolling after a shaky first inning, but when manager Mickey Callaway decided to pull the plug on his night, he wasn't happy. 

Matz, who was looking to build on his win over the Brewers last time out, didn't get to a hot start Wednesday night. He gave up a three-run jack to Ryan Zimmerman in the first inning to give the Nats a quick 3-0 lead. The long ball has hurt him in his first three starts, as Zimmerman's blast was his fifth homer allowed over four starts. 

The young lefty didn't let the first inning get to him, though. After striking out Michael Taylor in the first before picking off Moises Sierra to end the inning, Matz set down 10 straight Nationals as he cruised through the second, third, and fourth innings. 

Doug Williams and Andy Martino definitely give a hoot about Keith's tweets as they sit down for another Shea Anything podcast. The guys discuss the bullpen implosion against the Nats and the possibility of an Amed Rosario for J.T. Realmuto trade. Later, Andy pitches Doug on an idea for Baseball Night in New York, and talks about his post on MetsBlog about Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler's tenuous spots in the starting rotation.

Click below to listen...

The Mets (12-4) will try to avoid a three-game sweep when they wrap up their series against the Nationals (9-9) at Citi Field on Wednesday night at 7:10 on SNY. 

Mets RHP Anthony Swarzak has shut down his throwing program due to lingering discomfort, reports Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Swarzak threw a baseball on Sunday for the first time since suffering a left oblique strain and threw again on Monday, according to manager Mickey Callaway.

Swarzak, who has been out since April 1, was supposed to head to Port St. Lucie after Wednesday's game to continue his rehab, but will instead remain in New York to receive treatment. 

In spring training, I heard multiple Mets people say Jose Reyes was re-signed mostly to be a mentor to Amed Rosario, while also acting as a hedge against any infield injuries.

So far, there has been no such injury. Rosario looks totally comfortable in the big leagues and is seen spending most of his time before games with Yoenis Cespedes -- not Reyes.

Meanwhile, Reyes, who signed a one-year, $2 million this past winter, entered Wednesday's game hitless in 17 at-bats...

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Zack Wheeler, until very recently the forgotten man in the Mets' pitching plans, delivered his second consecutive quality start on Tuesday night, and moved closer to forcing the team to make a tough decision about whether to keep him in the rotation over Matt Harvey.

Wheeler allowed three runs in six innings in the Mets' 5-2 loss to Washington. In both that game and his season debut last week in Miami, the onetime phenom showed consistency with a new, more compact delivery. Manager Mickey Callaway indicated before Tuesday's game that Wheeler's transition to the new mechanics was complete. An evaluator at Citi Field Tuesday said that Wheeler again repeated the delivery perfectly, though he lacked command of his slider and allowed himself to get beat with his third and fourth-best pitch -- the curveball and changeup...

First Data and the Mets are proud to salute Tuesday's veteran of the game, United States Navy PO Dan Gastaldi.

Click here to see all of the veterans the Mets honor throughout the season.

He's SNY broadcaster Keith Hernandez. And he's back in his 1986 Mets uniform.

Keith and Mets manager Mickey Callaway are filming a commercial for New York Lottery on Wednesday at Citi Field, and Keith has been taking us through the process -- in the most Keith way possible.

Click below to see

Pitchers are being more aggressive with Mets hitters, who are not adjusting. What's worse, when the Mets put balls in play, they're unluckily hitting them right in to the other team's gloves.

Similarly, opposing base runners are being aggressive and forcing the Mets to be a better fielding team than they were even during the recent winning streak. It's a bad combination. It'll work itself out as long as the veterans and coaching staff get to work and adjust to the adjustments. I'm not worried. This is why it's nice to have a cushion...

In terms of the other team being aggressive on the bases, I think part of this is because of the inexperienced rotation of catchers behind the plate. However, this is something that has been going on for years with this team, be it because pitchers have been slow to the plate or because Travis d'Arnaud was struggling with his release...

Mets RHP Zack Wheeler is open to a move to the bullpen if that's what it takes for him to stay on the big league roster.

"I am not being selfish, I am just trying to prove my case," Wheeler said after Tuesday night's start. "I want to be here and be on this team. Whether it is helping in the bullpen or starting. I want to be here."

Wheeler, who began the season with Triple-A Las Vegas after struggling in Spring Training, has been filling in for Jason Vargas, who may return as early as April 27.

With the Mets trailing by the score of 3-2 in the sixth inning on Tuesday night and runners on first and third with one out, Mickey Callaway turned to Jose Reyes to pinch-hit.

Reyes looked badly overmatched against Nationals reliever LHP Sammy Solis -- who replaced LHP Gio Gonzalez after Reyes was announced -- and was fooled on the 2-2 fastball as he was looking for something off-speed. The result was Reyes taking a feeble, halting swing as he struck out. Along with Reyes, Callaway had Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, Adrian Gonzalez, and Jose Lobaton on his bench and at his disposal in that spot. 

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | Callaway has done a terrific job so far, but going to Reyes on Tuesday night when he had Conforto and Nimmo available was a poor choice -- regardless of Conforto and Nimmo both being left-handed hitters. In that spot, at the very least, you want someone who can hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Juan Lagares from third base. Conforto has been having terrific at-bats all season, and entered Tuesday night having reached base safely in every game he had played in. Nimmo entered the night having reached base at a .481 clip...

For a full box score of the game, click here.

For a full box score of the game, click here.

Things you should know about tonight's game...

1) Zack Wheeler allowed three runs over six innings, but received no help from his offense. The right-hander walked the bases loaded in the first but escaped with the help of a double play. He allowed a single run in the third and two more in the fourth on several soft hits from the Nationals. Wheeler (1-1) scattered seven hits, walked three and struck out two.

Mets RHP Zack Wheeler allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings against the Nationals on Tuesday night at Citi Field.

Mets rookie reliever Gerson Bautista has an electric fastball and a wicked glare in his eye that is impossible to miss, so much so that even Mets manager Mickey Callaway commented on both late in Spring Training.

Bautista was promoted Tuesday from Double-A to the Mets as Hansel Robles was demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas. He will wear No. 46 and is available for Tuesday night's game against the Nationals at Citi Field.

Bautista, 22, will consistently hit 100 mph with his fastball, which he can spot on command. In St. Lucie, an MLB scout told me that -- if Bautista can tighten up and increase the velocity on his slider -- he has the ability to be an elite relief pitcher...

Mets RH reliever Gerson Bautista, who was called up from Double-A Binghamton, told reporters at Citi Field on Tuesday that his promotion is a "dream come true."

Bautista said he received a phone call at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning informing him that he was called up. He admitted it came earlier than expected.

To make room for Bautista, the Mets optioned RH reliever Hansel Robles to Triple-A Las Vegas.

The Mets (12-3) continue their three-game series against the Nationals (8-9) at Citi Field on Tuesday night at 7:10 on SNY. 

Mets notes...

The Mets' 12-3 start after 15 games is tied with the 1986 and 2015 squads for best in franchise history. ... The Mets have won their first five series of the season for the first time in franchise history. The 2006 team won the first four series of the season. ... The Mets are 8-1 against the NL East this season. ... The Mets' 335 OBP is the seventh-best mark in the majors...

Mets 1B Dominic Smith is hitting .297/.395/.595 with two HR and five doubles in 10 games (37 at-bats) this season for Triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League.

Smith, who began the season on the 10-day DL due to a strained right quad that kept him out for the majority of Spring Training, hit .330/.386/.519 with 16 HR in 114 games last season for Las Vegas before making his big league debut.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | Offensive stats in the PCL need to be taken with a grain of salt. At the same time, if you're getting on base at a nearly-.400 clip while slugging close to .600, that's going to play in the majors -- even with expected regression.

Mets RHP Jason Vargas struck out 12 batters in six innings of an intrasquad game on Tuesday in Port St. Lucie. 

Vargas, who has been pitching in simulated and intrasquad games to avoid fielding due to an injury to his right (non-throwing) hand, will pitch and field in a minor league rehab game on Sunday, manager Mickey Callaway said.

If Vargas makes just one minor league rehab start, his return to the Mets -- if it's in the starting rotation -- would be April 27 or a bit after. 

Mets OF Jay Bruce is in Tuesday night's starting lineup after not starting on Monday night due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Bruce eventually pinch-hit in the eighth inning of the Mets' 8-6 loss to the Nationals. 

"This is something that I dealt with a little bit in Spring Training, and I want to do everything I can to really nip it in the bud and knock it out," Bruce said before Monday's game. "Not have it be a lingering issue."

Bruce dealt with plantar fasciitis early on in Spring Training, and said it's been bothering him the last few days. 

Monday night was brutal. There is no other way to put it. It was a bad loss, but it also felt like a slap-across-the-face wake-up call that this season isn't going to be all wins and salt and pepper shakers.

Intuitively I knew this to be true, because that's how baseball works. But, I was happy living while watching the Mets dominate in fantasy land for as long as possible. However, that bliss had to eventually end, and it ended Monday night...

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | There was one out in the eighth inning Monday night, the Mets up 6-1 on the Nationals. Jacob deGrom, dominant from the second-inning on, was still on the mound. The Mets were about to be 13-2, and then they weren't. 

So, what the hell happened?

As painful as it is, I'm going to re-watch the bloodbath that took place after deGrom left the game, and then react to it. Yes, after watching last night's game, with my couch bearing the brunt of my anger as it all went to crap, I'm watching the eighth inning again. Here it goes...

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter | For most of Monday's 8-6 loss to Washington, the Mets dazzled both the crowd and their opponents. From Jacob deGrom's masterful pitching to his safety squeeze in the sixth, from Juan Lagares' pair of stolen bases to Brandon Nimmo's latest triple, the team danced all over the Nationals, and looked capable of contending for a division title.

Then came the eighth inning, when the bullpen, so masterful this month, couldn't find the strike zone. The sequence ended with Jeurys Familia's first blown save of the year, ruining what could have been a magical evening. When Asdrubal Cabrera made the incomprehensible decision to dash for third with one out in the ninth, the loss turned from disappointing to ghastly.

The Mets have built up enough goodwill with their fans and in the standings to withstand a tough game, but this defeat was hardly meaningless. It arrested momentum and halted a sense of growing excitement around the team...

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For official rules and to enter, visit sny.tv/fios.  

No purchase necessary.

While Jacob deGrom dominated the Washington Nationals into the eighth inning, the Mets' bullpen unraveled in Monday's 8-6 loss at Citi Field.

"It's definitely tough," deGrom told reporters after the game. "You're comfortable when those guys come in, and they're not perfect. It's going to happen. Tonight, we let one get away, but they'll be back after them tomorrow."

DeGrom struck out 12 batters in 7 1/3 innings and had only given up one run through the first seven innings, but was taken out of the game with a 6-1 lead after allowing two of the first three batters to single in the eighth.

The Mets' bullpen, which entered Monday's game with a league-best 1.51 ERA, allowed five runs, four hits and three walks in 1 2/3 innings as New York fell to 12-3.

For a full box score of the game, click here.

Things you should know about tonight's game...

1) The Mets led 6-1 with one out in the eighth inning but a complete meltdown by the bullpen cost Jacob deGrom a much-deserved win and the club its 11th victory in 12 games. DeGrom, Seth Lugo, Jerry Blevins, AJ Ramos and Jeurys Familia combined to allow six runs on five hits, three walks and a hit batsman to fall behind, 7-6.

The Mets reportedly have not reached out to the Boston Red Sox or Tampa Bay Rays regarding a catcher after their two starters were placed on the disabled list last week, according to the New York Daily News' Kristie Ackert.

New York has gone with a combination of Tomas Nido and Jose Lobaton after it placed Travis d'Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki on the DL with, respectively, a partially torn UCL and a hairline fracture in Plawecki's left hand.

The Mets made repeated inquiries with the Marlins this offseason about trading for catcher J.T. Realmuto, and will "at some point try to revisit the Realmuto situation," Ken Rosenthal said Monday on Fox Sports. 

Mike Puma of the NY Post reported last week that the Mets had expressed interest in Realmuto, though he didn't specify when they reached out.

The Mets (12-2) open a three-game series against the Nationals (7-9) at Citi Field on Monday night at 7:10 on SNY. 

Mets notes...

The Mets' 12-2 start is the best in franchise history, and they have won their first five series of the season for the first time ever. ... The Mets are 8-0 against the NL East this season. ... Todd Frazier has a five-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in his last eight games. ... The Mets have seven come-from-behind wins this season -- tied with the Red Sox for the most in baseball. 

Mets OF Jay Bruce is not in the starting lineup on Monday night against the Nationals due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

"This is something that I dealt with a little bit in Spring Training, and I want to do everything I can to really nip it in the bud and knock it out," Bruce said before the game. "Not have it be a lingering issue."

Bruce dealt with plantar fasciitis early on in Spring Training, and said it's been bothering him the last few days. 

I have no issue with Mickey Callaway's decision to let Noah Syndergaard hit with the bases loaded in the fifth inning on Sunday, despite the game being tied.

With the Mets up one run with two outs and runners on second and third, Callaway pitch hit Jay Bruce for his starting catcher, 24-year-old rookie Tomas Nido, who was making his first start of the season. The Brewers responded by intentionally walking Bruce, which loaded the bases for Noah Syndergaard, who quickly ended the inning and potential rally with a pop out. 

Syndergaard returned to pitch the top of the sixth inning, but was removed one out later. The Brewers then knocked in two runs against reliever Robert Gsellman to take a temporary one-run lead, which was erased by a Brandon Nimmo solo homer in the bottom of the frame...

Brandon Nimmo had an incredible game on Sunday in his first start since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas, smashing three hits including a triple and a home run. His season OPS is up to an eye-popping 1.371 and the Mets are in a real bind as they simply have to find a way to keep his bat in a crowded outfield.

In only 21 plate appearances so far, Nimmo has gotten on base an incredible 12 times while striking out only twice. This is certainly a small sample, and while he won't produce like a peak Barry Bonds all season, Nimmo is on track for the best walk and strikeout rates of his career -- as well as his best hard-hit rate and line drive rate.

Always a patient hitter, Nimmo is swinging less than ever, but pummeling the ball when he does hit. He is the consummate leadoff hitter the team has been lacking for so long and if the team is waiting for him to cool off, it might be a long wait...

The Mets' salt and pepper celebration has trickled down to Todd Frazier's son, Blake, who broke it out after an opposite field hit during his Little League game on Saturday.

Click below to see...

Noah Syndergaard's filthy stuff and the frigid/windy weather conditions at Citi Field on Sunday led to some hysterically bad swings from the Brewers.

Thor struck out 11 Brewers in 5.1 innings -- including eight-straight at one point. He induced 25 swings-and-misses, with many being of the flailing variety. Travis Shaw was made to look foolish on an 89 MPH changeup, and jokingly tweeted at Syndergaard after the game, asking him to ease up.

Click below to see Syndergaard's exchange with Shaw...

He'll be there for you. Wilmer Flores smashed a walk-off homer against the Brewers in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday at Citi Field as the Mets improved to 12-2.

Flores isn't new to this, as he hit a walk-off dinger against the A's last season. And his 12th inning walk-off blast against the Nationals in late-July of 2015 helped propel the Mets to a three-game sweep and eventual NL East title.

After his winner on Sunday, Flores was doused by Yoenis Cespedes. And the local papers had it covered. Click below to see Monday's back pages...

Michelle Ioannou, MetsBlog | Twitter | Yes, this week did include a loss. But let's focus on how the Mets are in the midst of the best start in franchise history. Coming off nine wins in a row. Winning every series they have played so far this season. Not too shabby.

Of course, this excitement did take a hit on Wednesday, when it was announced that Travis d'Arnaud had a UCL tear in high right elbow. Tommy John surgery will happen and end his season, because as we all know, it's impossible to go an entire season without someone on the Mets needing Tommy John surgery.

Kevin Plawecki can easily step in for d'Arnaud, though, as we all know he's already had experience as a starting catcher, so not too big of a problem, right?! Well... Plawecki is injured as well, and will likely be out for roughly three weeks. Tomas Nido and Jose Lobaton it is then! Fortunately, Nido does have some major league experience from last year. And so far, both have looked good especially considering the unexpected roles they're currently taking on...

Mets RHP Noah Syndergaard tossed 101 pitches and allowed one unearned run, while striking out 11 batters in 5 1/3 innings, during Sunday's 3-2 win against the Brewers at Citi Field.

"I feel like this is finally a step in the right direction," Syndergaard told reporters after the game. "I finally got a glimpse of what I'm capable of. I felt like my first three starts were not up to par. I feel like this is close to dominance."

That's an understatement. Sunday, he looked smooth and dominant... like a young Doc Gooden. 

Mets infielder Wilmer Flores hit a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers as New York's franchise-best start continued.

Flores roped Matt Albers' 1-2 sinker over the left-center field fence as the Mets improved to 12-2, the best record in the National League and second-best record in the majors.

Despite starting for only the fourth time this season, Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo continued his hot start by going 3-for-5 with a home run and a triple in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field.

"He played a great game,'' Mets manager Mickey Callaway told reporters after the game.

Nimmo, starting for the first time since April 4, singled and scored in the first inning, tripled in the fourth and hit a game-tying home run to lead off the sixth inning as the Mets improved to 12-2, their best start in franchise history.

"You have to just try and help out the team however you can,'' said Nimmo, who has a .400/.571/.800 batting line in 15 at-bats this season.

For a full box score of the game, click here.

Things you should know about today's game...

1) Wilmer Flores launched a two-out walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Mets to their ninth win in 10 games. The Brewers bullpen had retired 11 of the previous 12 batters before the homer.

The Mets will look to win the rubber game of a three-game series with the Brewers at Citi Field on Sunday, Jackie Robinson Day, at 1:10 p.m. on SNY.

For a full box score of the game, click here.

Things you should know about tonight's game...

Mets RHP Matt Harvey allowed four runs on eight hits in five innings against the Brewers on Saturday night.

The Mets go for their 10th win in a row when they host the Brewers at Citi Field Saturday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY

What's better than the home team winning? One lucky fan winning big! At every home game this season, if a Mets player hits a home run off the New York Lottery sign over the bullpen, you could win! If it's not hit, don't worry, because if you're the fan of the night you'll still get a $100 gift card. Just click below and hope they knock it out of the park.