WASHINGTON — Christian Scott’s return to the major leagues fell just short of expectations Wednesday night.
Regardless of the outcome, Luis Garcia Jr. was the final batter of the game for the rookie right-hander.
Scott hit a sweeper over home plate and the Nationals second baseman smashed it in for a three-run homer. That marked the start of a Mets slump that led to a 7-5 loss at Nationals Park on Tuesday.
The Mets (42-42), who trailed 5-0, missed a chance to move two games above .500 for the first time since April 24.
As with most recent Mets losses, the bullpen was a factor.
Jake Diekman gave up two runs in just 1/3 of an inning before Garcia Jr. hit his second home run of the game off Ty Adcock to give the Nationals the win.
For the first time in four games, the Mets did not need overtime to decide the winner.
Scott, who started five games for the Mets in May before returning to Triple-A Syracuse, allowed six hits, walked two, struck out two and allowed four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.
He threw 97 pitches with two runners on base, but stayed in the game until he faced Garcia in the sixth inning and watched as the ball flew into the right field stands, all but erasing the Mets’ 5-1 lead.
