New York P Maine struggles through sickness, and Nationals beat Mets 9-3

Illness and Nationals wear down Maine

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets right-hander John Maine pitched through stomach problems and allowed four runs in 4 2-3 innings as the Washington Nationals defeated New York 9-3 Thursday.

Maine, who will pitch second in the Mets’ rotation gave up six hits and walked four.

Mike Jacobs hit a two-run homer off National starter Jason Marquis in the third.

Josh Willingham hit a two-run homer for Washington in the fourth off Maine to make it 3-2, and the New York pitcher couldn’t get through the fifth.

He walked two to start the fifth. Adam Dunn followed with an RBI single and Willingham drove in another run on a ground-rule double to take the lead.

Marquis allowed three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and no walks in five innings.