NEW YORK — Though Ryan Church still calls his old Nationals teammates regularly, talking and joking and preserving their friendship, he knows the implications of the upcoming series. His Mets need to win, and that means the Nats need to lose.
“It’s going to be good to get out there and play against guys I played with,” Church said. “But at the same time, they’re the enemy now.”
Church felt a bit slighted after his departure from Washington this winter, part of the trade that sent outfielder Lastings Milledge to the Nationals. Yet opening this season with a .326 average has helped him to accomplish some of his goals, and he hopes to prove to his former team why shipping him out may have been a mistake.
Brian Schneider was also part of that trade, and unlike Church, the backstop never had the opportunity to face his old teammates in a Spring Training game. For Schneider, Tuesday night’s series opener at Shea Stadium will give him a new sort of experience.
“I haven’t done it yet, so I don’t really know what kind of emotions there will be,” Schneider said. “But I’m not anticipating getting all psyched up and excited for it. It’s another opponent for us, and we need to get some wins.”
That’s what’s most important for these Mets, who have lost two straight games to fall a bit off the pace in the National League East. The Nationals have fared significantly worse, losing nine of their previous 10 games — though that’s little cause to relax.
Instead, the Mets will send Mike Pelfrey to the mound for Jackie Robinson Day, hoping the youngest member of their rotation can build on his recent success. Pelfrey will face Nats lefty Odalis Perez in a 7:10 p.m. ET game, which will be preceded by festivities and a ceremony honoring the 61st anniversary of Robinson’s breaking baseball’s color barrier. Every Met will honor Robinson by wearing his retired No. 42 during the game.
Pitching matchup
NYM: RHP Mike Pelfrey (1-0, 3.60 ERA)
Pelfrey was inefficient in his season debut last Wednesday against the Phillies, needing 100 pitches to complete five innings. But it was enough for a victory — and enough, he said, to help him with a certain confidence that he lacked last year, when he lost seven straight decisions before earning his first win. Pelfrey has faced the Nationals more than any other team, posting a 1-1 record and 5.64 ERA in four career starts.
WSH: LHP Odalis Perez (0-2, 4.91 ERA)
Staked to a 1-0 lead and cruising during his first five innings on Thursay against the Marlins, Perez began to struggle in the sixth, allowing the tying run to score and putting the eventual winning run on base before heading to the clubhouse. Perez ultimately took his second loss in as many games, despite striking out six and walking none. He hasn’t faced the Mets since 2006, when he gave up seven runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Tidbits
Jose Reyes remains day-to-day with a mild strain of his left hamstring. He said he expected to play on Tuesday. … David Wright hit his 100th career home run on Sunday afternoon, pushing him into sole possession of ninth place on the all-time Mets list. … Luis Castillo holds a career .409 batting average against Perez in 22 at-bats.
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