"That speech I gave, I won't be selling any CDs," Mets interim manager Jerry Manuel quipped, referring to a 15-minute pregame meeting before a 1-0 loss to Washington.

General manager Omar Minaya, on the trip to D.C., quickly differentiated this year from the Mets' historic 2007 collapse. The Mets went 5-12 over the final 17 games of last season to squander a seven-game lead and miss the playoffs.

"Last year was last year. This is a totally different situation from last year," Minaya said. "Last year we had a lead that we were trying to protect -- I mean, a big lead. This year we're in a pennant race. This is just a straight-out pennant race. Compared to last year, there's just no comparison."

NATIONALS 1, METS 0: For the second time this season, Mike Pelfrey lost a 1-0 decision to the Nats. The Mets have lost three straight and four of five. Ex-Nat Ryan Church struck out against LHP Mike Hinckley in the eighth to strand the tying run at third.