Photo by MetsMinors.net

The Mets traveled to Viera on Tuesday to play the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium with Zack Wheeler facing off against Stephen Strasburg.

The Mets quickly scored three runs off Strasburg in the third, but it was all downhill from there as the Mets were defeated by the Nationals 7-3. The loss dropped their Grapefruit League record to 14-12.

Wheeler pitched out a jam in the first, and breezed through the second before giving up five runs in the third, capped off by a Bryce Harper three-run shot to center field. After a walk to Adam LaRoche, Wheeler was pulled from the game and replaced with Vic Black. Not a good outing especially with the season looming less than a week away. Overall he tossed 2.2 innings, giving up five runs on five hits, with three walks, a home run while striking out only one batter.

Jeurys Familia had his first rough outing of the Spring, tossing one inning and letting up a run on three hits and three walks.

Bobby Parnell pitched an inning, allowing a run on one hit and one strike out.  The lone run was a home run off the bat of Ryan Zimmerman.

Travis d’Arnaud hit a hanging hook from Strasburg to left field and the wind helped it over the fence for his second homer of the Spring. He finished 1 for 2, with a run scored and an RBI.

Eric Young Jr, (1 for 2, R, RBI) batting lead-off doubled down the right field corner in the third to score a run and put the Mets up 2-0. David Wright (1 for 2, RBI), with two outs, brought in EY Jr with a single to make it 3-0 at the time.

What’s Next

The Mets travel to Kissimmee today to play the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium, with first pitch at 6:05 PM. Opening Day starter Dillon Gee will make his final spring tuneup.