WASHINGTON -- The Mets needed brilliance from Matt Harvey. What they got was something far less.
The righthander's turbulent week unraveled further on Tuesday night, when he was roughed up in a critical start against the Nationals.
Harvey, at the center of a dispute about his innings limit, allowed seven runs in 51/3 innings. He departed with one out in the sixth after he surrendered what was in effect a four-run single by Michael Taylor.
Harvey loaded the bases ahead of Taylor, allowing a single to Yunel Escobar and a walk to Clint Robinson. He complicated matters when he bobbled Ian Desmond's sacrifice bunt attempt and then made an ill-advised, late throw to third base.