The Washington Nationals continue their recent struggles and are now 2-7 in their last nine games. If they lose today, that will be a clean sweep by the New York Mets, which is the Nationals second sweep of the season.

Peterson needed just nine pitches in the ninth inning to finish a shutout in the Mets’ 5-0 win over the Nationals on Wednesday night at Citi Field. In total, he threw 106 pitches. He allowed just six hits, no walks. He struck out six batters. “This is what we strive for,” Peterson said.

BOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals, on a three-game losing streak, take on the New York Mets. New York is 25-7 at home and 43-24 overall. Mets hitters have a collective .331 on-base percentage ...