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          New York Mets

          Rapid Reaction: Nats 4, Mets 2

          • Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff WriterSep 23, 2014, 10:03 PM ET
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          WASHINGTON -- If the Mets want to avoid their sixth straight losing season, they will need to run the table in their remaining five games.

          Bartolo Colon

          Bartolo Colon

          #40 SP
          New York Mets

          2014 STATS

          • GM30

          • W14

          • L13

          • BB28

          • K147

          • ERA4.08

          Adam LaRoche continued his assault of the Amazin’s with a tiebreaking three-run homer in the fifth against Bartolo Colon and the Washington Nationals ultimately beat the Mets, 4-2, Tuesday.

          The Mets dropped to 3-14 against the Nats this season.

          The Mets (76-81) remained in a second-place tie with Atlanta in the NL East with the Pirates clinching a playoff berth by beating the Braves.

          LaRoche staked the Nats to a 4-1 lead. He now has 29 career homers against the Mets. Among active players, only a trio of Philadelphia Phillies have more: Ryan Howard 41, Chase Utley 33 and Jimmy Rollins 30.

          Colon, who is under control for 2015 at $11 million, ultimately was charged with four earned runs on five hits and three walks in six innings. He has logged 196 1/3 innings this season. Terry Collins said Colon wants to reach the 200-inning plateau, and will be afforded that opportunity in Sunday’s season finale against the Houston Astros at Citi Field.

          Ouch: Denard Span made a dazzling diving catch on the track in left-center to rob Matt den Dekker of an extra-base hit and end the top of the third. Span, injured, then departed for a pinch hitter in the bottom half.

          What’s next: Dillon Gee (7-8, 3.88 ERA) wraps up his 2014 season. He opposes left-hander Gio Gonzalez (9-10, 3.74) at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday.