New York Mets

          Mets 7, Nats 5: Kirk delivers in 9th

          VIERA, Fla. -- Kirk Nieuwenhuis delivered a tiebreaking two-out, two-strike, two-run single against right-hander Robert Gilliam in the top of the ninth and the Mets beat the Washington Nationals, 7-5, Thursday at Space Coast Stadium.

          Kirk Nieuwenhuis

          Kirk Nieuwenhuis

          #9 CF
          New York Mets

          2013 STATS

          • GM47

          • HR3

          • RBI14

          • R10

          • OBP.278

          • AVG.189

          Jacob deGrom had surrendered a game-tying three-run homer to Brock Peterson a half-inning earlier after inheriting two runners from Noah Syndergaard.

          Nieuwenhuis had walked with the bases loaded as the Mets produced four eighth-inning runs to take a 5-2 lead.

          Ouch: With Ike Davis (calf) and Lucas Duda (hamstring) already sidelined, the Mets suffered another injury to a first baseman. Brandon Allen hobbled off the field after reaching second base in the top of the ninth on Nieuwenhuis’ decisive two-run single.

          Allen injured a calf, although Terry Collins did not know the severity.

          “He jumped out of the way of the ground ball and his calf grabbed,” Collins said. “We aren’t sure if it’s a cramp or a strain yet.”

          What’s next: Vegas! Well, for half of Mets camp anyway.

          A Mets contingent, which includes David Wright and Curtis Granderson, will fly Friday afternoon to Nevada in advance of a pair of weekend games against the Chicago Cubs at Cashman Field, home of the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate.

          Meanwhile, those left behind will face the Miami Marlins on Friday in the first night game of spring training. Zack Wheeler opposes Stony Brook University product Tom Koehler in the 7:05 p.m. game in Jupiter (on WOR 710 AM).