Because the New York Mets strategy their final sport of the sequence in opposition to the Washington Nationals tonight, the crew faces the stress of sustaining their standing as the most effective crew in baseball and night the sequence earlier than heading again to Citi Area. With the Nationals main 2-1, having narrowly defeated the Mets in each of their victories, Francisco Lindor and firm wish to redeem themselves earlier than welcoming the underdog Arizona Diamondbacks to Queens.
Within the sequence opener at Nationals Park, Washington wasn’t about to depart their followers with a loss, capitalizing on the Mets’ psychological lapses early. A key second got here with an off-the-wall triple from CJ Abrams, placing the Nationals up 2-0. A controversial name within the prime of the fourth inning, through which DH Jesse Winker hit a line drive that appeared to skip into first baseman Nathaniel Lowe’s glove, was dominated an out, leading to a uncommon and dear triple play. The Nationals tacked on one other run within the seventh inning courtesy of Abrams, who hit a gradual rolling infield single that introduced within the third run. The Mets rallied with 4 runs, highlighted by a bases-loaded single from Brandon Nimmo and a three-bagger from Mark Vientos, placing the Mets forward 4-3. However the Nationals took the sport within the backside of the ninth, with a clutch single from James Wooden driving in Abrams for the game-winning run.
The Mets regained their composure within the second sport regardless of a climate delay, with starter Clay Holmes delivering 5 stable innings, permitting solely 4 hits. Nearer Edwin Diaz capped off the win with an ideal save, placing out three and strolling only one. Francisco Alvarez knocked in each of the Mets’ runs with a two-run homer down the appropriate area line within the second inning following a Winker single.
On Sunday, the Nationals surprised the Mets with a dramatic comeback, rallying from a six-run deficit to take the sport 8-7. The Mets exploded early, scoring 5 runs within the first inning in opposition to Washington starter Mitchell Parker. However the Nationals shortly answered, with Dylan Crews’ rocket off Tylor Megill placing them on the board. Parker then allowed a triple from catcher Luis Torrens, bringing in Sterling Marte and giving the Mets a six-run lead. Nonetheless, the Nationals chipped away with 4 runs within the seventh, together with a two-run single by Alex Name and a three-run shot from Riley Adams, slicing the result in only one. Within the backside of the ninth, a single from CJ Abrams tied the sport at 7-7. The Nationals capitalized on a throwing error from Pete Alonso and Stanek, permitting Abrams to attain the successful run.
With the Mets nonetheless holding the most effective report in MLB and sitting comfortably on the prime of the NL East, they now have a vital alternative to even the sequence in opposition to the Nationals tonight. A win wouldn’t solely give them the prospect to move house to Citi Area on a excessive observe but in addition assist keep their dominance within the standings. The suspense builds because the Mets purpose to wrap up this sequence and shift their focus to the upcoming conflict with the Diamondbacks. Will they handle to drag off the much-needed victory, or will the Nationals steal one other one? The Mets’ resilience and skill to bounce again can be put to the take a look at as they give the impression of being to maintain their place because the league’s prime crew.