METS GAMEDAY

Two of the best pitchers in the National League worked at Citi Field on consecutive nights, with each one making a final case to start the All-Star Game next week.

One night after NL ERA leader Jacob deGrom had tossed eight scoreless innings in a walk-off win over the Phillies, three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer fronted the Nationals to a 5-4 decision over the Mets on Thursday night at Citi Field.

Scherzer, the hometown favorite to start the Midsummer Classic at Nationals Park in Washington on Tuesday, allowed three runs and struck out five over seven innings to improve to 12-5 on the season with a 2.41 ERA.

Due to poor offensive support and multiple bullpen failures, deGrom is just 5-4 over 19 starts despite a 1.68 ERA.

Anthony Rendon clubbed two home runs to account for all three runs the Nats (47-46) posted over 6.1 innings against Mets lefty Steven Matz (4-7, 3.38). All-Star outfielder and pending free agent Bryce Harper added a two-run shot against lefty reliever Jerry Blevins for a 5-2 game in the seventh.

Jose Bautista ripped a solo blast against Scherzer in the fourth, while Kevin Plawecki also took him deep in the seventh. Asdrubal Cabrera drew the Mets (37-54) within one run with another solo homer against reliever Kelvin Herrera in the eighth, but Wilmer Flores and Matt den Dekker couldn’t come through with the tying run on second later in that inning.

Plawecki then led off the ninth with a base hit, but Jose Reyes grounded into a fielder’s choice and Amed Rosario hit into a game-ending double play.