WASHINGTON — The New York Mets may not be dead yet.
The Mets were 11 1/2 games behind the Washington Nationals in the National League East before Thursday’s play, but New York’s deficit is down to 9 1/2 games as the teams begin a three-game series Monday in the nation’s capital.
The Nationals (48-34) have lost four of seven games while the Mets (38-43) have won four of five after a 7-1 home loss Sunday afternoon to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Washington will field a lineup that is expected to include top National League All-Star vote-getter Bryce Harper, and two other NL All-Star starters, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and second baseman Daniel Murphy.