VIERA, Fla. -- A two-out, two-run single off the bat of outfielder Chris Heisey punctuated a three-run third inning by the Nationals in their 9-5 victory over the Mets on Friday afternoon at Space Coast Stadium.
Heisey was pinch-hitting for Clint Robinson, one of the Nationals' position players making a third consecutive start as part of manager Dusty Baker's plan to stretch them out ahead of the season. Baker played most of his starters for only a few innings Friday to get their legs loose after Thursday's night game.
The Mets struck first in the top of the third, when Roger Bernadina began the inning with a leadoff double to right field and scored later in the inning on a single by Juan Lagares.