After losing an absolute heartbreaker on Saturday night at Shea to the NY Mets, the Nationals bounced back yesterday, scoring six runs in the first inning and holding on to beat the Mets 7-4. Things were going so well for the Nats that Christian Guzman doubled twice and also drove in two runs, raising his batting average to an almost robust .194. Esteban Loiza pitched 6 1/3 inning on three days rest, striking out eight while allowing seven hits.

The win, which helped the Nats avoid a sweep in Queens, puts the team one and a half games back in the Wild Card race. Thus ends the team’s season high 13 game road trip with a record of 7-6. They actually picked up a half game on the Braves when it was all said and done, now sitting five back.

To their credit, the Nats know what has to be done to make the second season. “We were in a big rut, and we weren’t playing well at all,” catcher Brian Schneider told the Post. “But I think we’re playing better now. We’re starting to put a couple more runs on the board. I think our offense came to life a little on this road trip. Pitching’s not a factor. We need to continue to try to get them some runs.”

Ryan Church finally snapped out of his hitting slump, raising his average to .300 and possibly solidifying his place in the leadoff spot. Unfortunately, while Church goes up, Nick Johnson and Brad Wilkerson come down. Johnson is mired in a 3 for 28 slump but is actually doing better than Wilkerson, who has just one hit in his last 21 at bats.

If the Nats do make the playoffs, it won’t be because of a soft schedule coming down the stretch. After their upcoming home games against Cincinnati and St. Louis (owners of the best record in baseball), they have two series each with the Mets, Atlanta, Philadelphia and the Florida Marlins before the season ends. Yikes.