Nats shut out record 3rd game in row; Wheeler, Mets win…

NEW YORK (AP) – Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals were shut out for the third game in a row, something that had never happened since the team moved from Montreal, as Zack Wheeler and the New York Mets posted a 3-0 victory Saturday.

Amed Rosario and Todd Frazier hit solo home runs to back Wheeler, who pitched seven innings and won his seventh straight decision.

The Nationals fell to 64-66 – they’ve already lost more games than they dropped last year in going 97-65 to take their second consecutive NL East title.

Blanked by Aaron Nola and the Phillies on Thursday and by Jason Vargas and the Mets on Friday night, the Washington bats again went silent at Citi Field.

Not since they were the Montreal Expos and were shut out in three straight by the Florida Marlins at Olympic Stadium in 2004 had the franchise been held down like this. The Expos moved to Washington the next season.

Wheeler (9-6) gave up six hits and set a career-best winning streak. Daniel Zamora retired Harper on a flyball to begin the eighth and rookie Drew Smith got the next three outs.

Jerry Blevins recorded the last two outs, completing the combined seven-hitter.

The Nationals tried everything to eke out a run. Adam Eaton bunted for a single on the first pitch of the game and, all by himself, Trea Turner bunted, delivered a hit-and-run single and stole his major league-high 33rd base.

But nothing could get someone across the plate. Rookie teen Juan Soto struck out to strand runners at the corners in the first and bounced out to leave the bases loaded in the third.

Harper, leading the Nationals with 30 home runs and 81 RBIs, batted with two on in the fifth and hit a hard grounder up the middle that the Mets’ shifted infield turned into a fast double play to end the threat. Moments later, Harper and Soto were talking in shallow center field when they almost were hit by warmup ball tossed by an attendant.

Soto was later was caught stealing and also thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double.

Tanner Roark (8-13) limited the Mets to four hits in six innings, striking out seven without a walk.

Rosario homered in the sixth and Frazier connected in the seventh. Rookie Jeff McNeil singled twice and extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: RHP Ryan Madson rejoined the team after a week in Phoenix spent trying to alleviate nerve irritation that caused pain in his back and neck. He’ll throw a bullpen session Sunday with manager Dave Martinez watching to plan out the next step in his recovery. He last pitched on Aug. 12, when he gave up a game-ending grand slam at Wrigley Field. “Looking forward to giving it a shot,” he said. … Soto started his 45th straight game. “I know he needs a break. It could come tomorrow,” Martinez said.

Mets: Devin Mesoraco (next stiffness) could catch an inning or two if needed, manager Mickey Callaway said. C Kevin Plawecki’s wife is due to give birth very shortly.

UP NEXT

Nationals: Rookie RHP Jefry Rodriguez (1-1, 5.46 ERA) has pitched five innings in each of his two starts since rejoining the rotation this month.

Mets: LHP Steven Matz (5-10, 4.55) starts vs. the Nationals for the fifth time this year. He was pounded the last time, giving up seven runs and getting only two outs at Washington in a 25-4 loss on July 31.

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Washington Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark delivers to the New York Mets during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario (1) looks on as umpire Paul Nauert, left, signals Washington Nationals’ Juan Soto out while attempting to stretch a single into a double during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York Mets’ Todd Frazier follows through on a home run as Washington Nationals catcher Matt Wieters, right, looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)