MLB

Despite strikeouts, Harang falters in Mets debut

Aaron Harang’s Mets debut was a study in extremes.

The veteran right-hander on Thursday had his strikeout pitch working, but when the Nationals made contact, the ball traveled. In the end, Harang struck out 10 batters, but allowed three solo homers in the Mets’ 7-2 loss at Citi Field.

Harang joined Pedro Martinez and Matt Harvey among pitchers who had double-digit strikeout performances in their Mets debut.

“I threw some good cutters, curveball strikeouts and was getting them to chase the slider,” Harang said. “I was able to move the ball back and forth and besides the two real mistake pitches, I felt real good about my day.”

Harang lasted six innings and allowed four hits and one walk. He also returned following a 56-minute rain delay before the second inning, sparing the Mets’ bullpen an extended afternoon of work.

Ryan Zimmerman, Adam LaRoche and Wilson Ramos all homered against Harang, who was signed to a minor league contract on Aug. 31.

“My biggest thing is just finishing a season in a rotation,” said Harang, who went 5-11 with a 5.76 ERA in 22 starts for the Mariners. “I’m getting that chance over here and hopefully I can help out with questions the younger guys have about what it takes to pitch a whole season.”

Jayson Werth gave Frank Francisco an angry look and was slow in walking to first base after getting plunked in the eighth inning, but the Mets reliever said the pitch was an accident.

“[Werth] can say whatever he wants,” Francisco said. “I was trying to locate my pitches and obviously I was all over the place.”

The 13 home runs hit by the Nationals in the series smashed a Citi Field record. The previous record had been seven, last established by the Yankees during a three-game series in June of last year. The Nationals hit 22 homers at Citi Field this year — tying the record for most homers allowed by the Mets at home to a single club. The 1962 Cardinals hit 22 homers against the Mets at the Polo Grounds and the 1966 Pirates hit that many at Shea Stadium.

Thursday may have been Davey Johnson’s final game managing against the Mets. Johnson, who guided the Mets to the 1986 world championship, is expected to retire after the season.