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          New York Mets

          Morning Briefing: It's Robert Gsellman day!

          • Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff WriterSep 14, 2016, 10:30 AM
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          WASHINGTON -- And now for the final matchup between the New York Mets and Washington Nationals this season ... unless they meet in the National League Championship Series.

          Robert Gsellman (2-1, 3.92 ERA) opposes right-hander Tanner Roark (14-8, 2.85) at 4:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Nationals Park in the series finale.

          The Mets are 7-11 against Washington this season.

          WEDNESDAY’S NEWS REPORTS:

          • T.J. Rivera's tiebreaking homer against Mark Melancon in the top of the 10th lifted the Mets to a 4-3 win against the Nationals on Tuesday. The Mets maintained a half-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals for the second wild-card spot. Rivera became the first Met to record his first MLB homer in extra innings since Lastings Milledge in 2006, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Jeurys Familia had suffered only his fourth blown save in 52 chances when he allowed a pair of ninth-inning runs, although the damage came primarily due to two infield singles and a throwing error by third baseman Jose Reyes. Noah Syndergaard limited the Nats to one run in seven innings. He struck out 10, giving him 205 Ks this season. He is only the fifth pitcher in franchise history to reach the 200-strikeout threshold at age 24 or younger. Jerry Blevins had a game-ending strikeout of Daniel Murphy to record his first save since 2012 with Oakland. Read game recaps in the Post, Daily News, Times, Newsday, Record and at NJ.com and MLB.com.

          • Making the interview rounds Tuesday, Wally Backman said he quit because he felt disrespected and had no path to the big leagues with the Mets. Listen to Backman's appearance on "The Michael Kay Show" here. Read more in the Post, Daily News, Newsday, Record and at MLB.com.

          • With no intention of using Rafael Montero again in the rotation, Terry Collins indicated he may take advantage of an upcoming day off to delay having that turn come up for as long as possible. Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz potentially then could return on the same day and share the duty, since neither is stretched out for a full workload. Read more from columnist David Lennon in Newsday as well as news reports in the Post, Newsday and at NJ.com and MLB.com.

          • Justin Ruggiano, already on the 60-day DL and done for the season, underwent surgery on his left shoulder Monday.

          • Jon Heyman reports that David Wright is making progress in his return from neck surgery, with the bone "healing properly." Still, it's not clear if Wright's three-month checkup in Los Angeles showed sufficient bone healing to be cleared for any exercise beyond walking. Wright did not respond to an inquiry, while Sandy Alderson said he did not have any news to share on the visit.

          • The Mets announced that Tim Tebow's first instructional-league press conference will be Monday at 1:30 p.m. ET, after the first workout in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

          • Kelly Johnson is remodeling his swing to be more like Murphy, James Wagner writes in the Times.

          • From the bloggers ... Faith and Fear considers the merits of managers doing nothing versus doing something. ... Mets Report wonders if Backman might have helped Collins as the bench coach.

          BIRTHDAYS: Chad Bradford turns 42. ... Dave Hillman is 89. ... Mike Draper is 50.

          TWEET OF THE DAY:

          YOU’RE UP: How loudly will you pout if Rivera does not start Wednesday’s game?