The Mets’ losing streak reached five -- and 11 of 12 -- on Tuesday night, as R.A. Dickey’s 11-game winning streak finally came to an end in a 5-2 defeat to Washington.

They will try to leave for an 11-game West Coast roadtrip on a good note on Wednesday afternoon, when they take on the Nationals in a rare 12:10 p.m. start. It’ll be Jeremy Hefner taking on Stephen Strasburg.

Read game recaps in the Star-Ledger and Daily News.

Wednesday’s news reports:

• Lucas Duda, who was hitting just .190 in his last 29 games and playing subpar defense, was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Prior to Tuesday's game against the Washington Nationals, the Mets also activated rookie right-hander Matt Harvey from the taxi squad, promoted reliever Manny Acosta from Buffalo and demoted reliever Pedro Beato to the Bisons.

• Frank Francisco is expected to make his first rehab appearance for Double-A Binghamton on Wednesday night in New Britain.

• The Mets signed right-hander Craig Hansen to a minor-league contract. Hansen, 28, owns a 4-9 record with a 6.43 ERA in parts of four seasons with Boston and Pittsburgh. He last appeared in the majors in 2009.

• Ruben Tejada (shin) got Tuesday night off, but told Terry Collins he’s fine.

TRIVIA: Jordany Valdespin set the Mets’ single-season record for pinch-hit homers with five. Which two other players established the old record, hitting four?

Tuesday’s answer: Dickey has seven wins against the Marlins.