WASHINGTON — While their front office deals with the Tony Bernazard controversy, the Mets are hoping Mike Pelfrey can get back on track tonight when he takes the mound here tonight against the Nationals.

Pelfrey is coming off arguably the worst outing of his big-league career last weekend in Atlanta, where he allowed nine runs on nine hits and a walk in just 4 1/3 innings of an eventual 11-0 blasting by the Braves.

Pelfrey also has watched his ERA balloon by more than a full run to 5.07 from its low point May 23 in Boston, when the big right-hander stood at 3.88. Pelfrey, who is 3-3 with a 3.18 ERA in nine career appearances against the Nationals, will square off against Craig Stammen. A fellow righty, Stammen has won just two of his seven decisions this season but has a better ERA than Pelfrey at 4.46.

Here is the 44-49 Mets’ order for the 7:05 p.m. game:

Angel Pagan CF

Luis Castillo 2B

Daniel Murphy 1B

David Wright 3B

Jeff Francoeur RF

Cory Sullivan LF

Angel Berroa SS

Brian Schneider C

Mike Pelfrey RHP (7-5, 5.07)

Pelfrey’s numbers against the Nationals’ hitters