The New York Mets (67-69) snapped a six game home run drought, connecting for the long ball three times in the 7-3 victory over the Washington Nationals (63-73) on Friday night.

David Wright, Nick Evans and Lucas Duda were all able to record homers to lead the Mets to their seventh victory in eight games. The Mets power surge was a nice change for starter, and knuckle ball specialist R.A. Dickey (W, 7-11) who continues his fine starts on the hill.

Dickey tossed six innings, giving up nine hits only giving up three runs and striking out one batter, winning his second game in four days. The righty only had three day’s rest, was able to record consecutive wins for the first time this season.

After departing in the seventh inning, it was up to the Mets pen to put the victory to wraps, as the team had the debut of two relief pitchers in the game. First up was righty Josh Stinson, who was able to record his first two strikeouts.

Danny Herrera, who was added to the roster before the game, struck out Nats Jonny Gomez-to secure the victory for the Mets. Herrera was acquired on Thursday from the Brewers as one of the two players to be named later in the Francisco Rodriguez trade.

The impressive thing about Herrera was the use of the screwball, which had Gomes guessing throughout the entire at-bat.

New York finished the night with nine total hits, with Angel Pagan getting a big two-run single in the top of the third inning-which gave the Mets a 6-1 lead at the time. Duda then added on with a homer in the seventh, as the pen took the game from there blanking the Nationals for the eventual victory.

Game Two on Saturday will feature, Rookie-sensation Dillon Gee (12-5, 4.24 ERA) , who looks to earn his fourth victory against the Nationals. Gee will take on Tom Milone, who is making his MLB debut for Washington. The first pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.

Written on September 3, 2011