Byrd (two HRs) makes good on his prediction, leads Mets' rout of Nationals

WASHINGTON -- Marlon Byrd put on his poker face, stepped out to the batting cage, then began his bluff. Without cracking a smile, he boasted to anyone within earshot about his swing, and how his mechanics felt so smooth that something special was within reach.

He predicted that if he got the right pitches to drive, he would homer. Twice.

"I didn't think it was going to happen," said Byrd, who followed through with his pledge to lead the Mets to a 10-1 rout of the Nationals last night.

Catcher Anthony Recker finished with three RBIs and centerfielder Juan Lagares collected three hits. Both have been rarely used. David Wright added his eighth homer of the year and Byrd blasted homers in the first and second innings. Both have been mired in slumps.

But it was that kind of night for the Mets, who ended a four-game losing streak, which included a humiliating sweep at the hands of the lowly Marlins. By the end of the Mets' three-run seventh, every member of the starting lineup had collected a hit, including starting pitcher Dillon Gee.

With that, fans scrambled for the exits as the Mets coasted in a laugher.

"We needed one very bad," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "We have certainly been in our share of close games all year. We've been on both ends of it. To have a game where we can just take a deep breath and just relax a little bit was certainly welcomed and needed right now."

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Entering the game, the Mets ranked in the bottom three in the National League in average (.225), on-base percentage (.293) and slugging percentage (.370). Nevertheless, the Mets tagged starter Dan Haren for five runs seven hits, chasing him after just four innings.

The Mets tied a season high with 15 hits. Meanwhile, they scored double-digit runs for just the third time all season, and for the first time since scoring a season-high 16 runs at Minnesota on April 12.

"It was nice to be able to take a deep breath especially down the stretch, to exhale a little bit, to set it on cruise control," Wright said.

With top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler expected to be promoted soon, Gee (4-6, 5.20) delivered his second straight quality start, hoping it will be enough to keep his spot in the starting rotation. Facing a Nationals lineup that has underperformed all season, Gee surrendered one run and struck out seven in seven innings.

Gee allowed his only run in the first when Byrd's misplay led to a double for Denard Span, who scored on Ian Desmond's run-scoring single.

However, Byrd wasted little time making up for the gaffe.

Byrd entered play hitting just .195 in his previous 15 games, one of several slumping bats in a Mets lineup that has struggled for more than a month. He was in the lineup only because righthanded hitters have enjoyed more success against Haren this season. But before the game, Byrd said he felt good after his round of batting practice, telling Recker that he'd hit two homers. "He was dead serious," Recker said.

When Byrd returned from the dugout after his first homer, Recker reminded him he was only halfway to his goal.

"I know," Byrd said, still offering no sign of revealing his bluff.

One inning later, Byrd launched his second homer, a solo shot that pushed the Mets' lead to 5-1. Indeed, for the Mets, it was that kind of night.

Said Recker: "The most remarkable thing I've ever seen, ever."