Mets Morning News: Lucas Duda is on fire, Mets pull within one game of first place

Meet the Mets

Jacob deGrom gave up two runs in the first inning, but the Mets came back to beat the Nationals last night and pull within one game of first place in the National League East. Lucas Duda did the heavy lifting, as he got the Mets on the board with a solo home run, tied the game with another solo home run, and—after the Nationals intentionally walked Yoenis Cespedes to pitch to Duda—doubled to bring home the go-ahead run that wound up being the game-winner. #lovethemets

Choose your recap: Amazin' Avenue long and short, Newsday, Daily News, Post, Record, MLB.com, Star-Ledger, Times, ESPN, or Faith and Fear.

Before the game, the Mets optioned Michael Conforto to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room for Cespedes on the roster.

David Wright is planning on getting into rehab games in the near future.

It's not a knock on Yoenis Cespedes, but it was a little odd to see the Nationals intentionally walk anyone to pitch to Duda in the eighth last night.

Jacob deGrom didn't have his best stuff, but he made it through six innings and allowed just the two runs he gave up in the first inning anyways.

Jeurys Familia looked great last night, saving the game for the Mets. He should be alright.

Mets fans should love Cespedes, who the Mets hope will get them into the playoffs.

Rob Neyer says the Mets are no longer the #LOLMets.

Jayson Werth is impressed by the atmosphere at Citi Field this weekend.

Around the NL East

In a second-division matchup of NL East teams, the Phillies blew out the Braves.

The Padres beat the Marlins, too.

Around MLB

The Padres didn't make any trades at the deadline. Uh, what?

Matt Moore has had a rough time in his return from Tommy John surgery, and the Rays optioned him to Triple-A.

Ben Zobrist hit a couple of home runs in the Royals' win over the Blue Jays, a game that included Wade Davis giving up a home run for the first time in nearly two years.

Yesterday at AA

Here's a roundup of what the people are saying about the Mets' trade for Cespedes. And a Cespedes primer.

This date in Mets history

On this date in Mets history, Cleon Jones hit his 1,000th hit. And today is Dae-Sung Koo's birthday.