Mets 8, Nationals 7: A nearly-blown game ends up a win (2024)

Thanks in large part to a four-run fifth inning, the Mets opened their three-games series against the Nationals win an 8-7 win, bouncing back from back-to-back losses on Saturday and Sunday in the process. Neither team played its sharpest game of baseball in this one.

Harrison Bader opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the top of the second. He played a part in allowing the Nationals’ first run of the night in the bottom of the inning when he dropped a fly ball that he should have caught on the warning track to put the leadoff batter on second base. Tylor Megill, who wasn’t particularly sharp in this start, then gave up a single that tied the game.

Mark Vientos put the Mets back in front with a solo home run in the top of the fourth, and Francisco Lindor singled to plate Jose Iglesias—who himself had a three-hit night—to give the Mets a 3-1 lead later in the inning.

The Nationals answered and then some in the bottom of the fourth, scoring a run on a ground ball fielder’s choice before Joey Gallo hit a no-doubt two-run home run to right field to put them up 4-3.

Then came the aforementioned top of the fifth, and inning that saw the Mets score one run each on another Bader sac fly and an Iglesias single. Catcher Luis Torrens came through with perhaps the biggest hit of the night, a two-run double that put the Mets up 7-4.

Megill nearly handed the Nationals the lead back in the bottom of the fifth, as he loaded the bases on a two-out walk and walked the next batter to force in the Nationals’ fifth run of the night. But he escaped the jam by getting a line out to left field to end the inning.

That ended Megill’s start, one that saw him all five runs—four of them earned—with four strikeouts and three walks. It was just his fourth start of the season, but it was the worst one of the three he’s made since returning from the injured list.

With J.D. Martinez on first base, Starling Marte singled in the top of the sixth, and the veteran designated hitter tried to take third base. A strong throw from center field was well on its way to beating him to the bag, but it hit Martinez and bounced away. Nationals reliever—and former Met—Jacob Barnes backed up the throw, but he unwisely attempted to throw behind Marte at first base. The ball sailed well wide of first base, and Martinez scored. That proved to be the Mets’ final run of the evening. Thankfully, it turned out to be just enough.

Adrian Houser went two-and-one-third innings in relief of Megill and didn’t allow any runs, but he walked the last two batters he faced with just one and Drew Smith made his semi-long-awaited return, notching a pair of outs to prevent the Nationals from scoring in the eighth.

In the ninth, however, the Mets really tempted fate, nearly blowing another late lead and generating A+ versions of “good lord” and “oh boy” from Keith Hernandez. Adam Ottavino, who started the season strong but has been awful lately, looked about as he ever has in an appearance with the Mets. He walked the leadoff batter, hit the next one, and after recording a fly out to right field, served up a single that plated a run and put runners on the corners for the Nationals. Following a second single that loaded the bases, Carlos Mendoza gave Ottavino the hook and turned to Jake Diekman.

The veteran lefty allowed a long fly ball to center that thankfully only resulted in a sac fly. And he got number nine hitter Drew Millas to strike out looking to get the Mets a win.

Given how poorly he’s pitched recently, Ottavino might be flirting with a DFA in the near future. If there’s anything working in his favor, though, it’s the fact that so few of his fellow relievers from the Opening Day roster are on the active roster right now. There might not be an obvious bullpen upgrade available in the minors, but it would be understandable if the Mets decided to find out.

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What’s WPA?

Big Mets winner: Jake Diekman, +33.5% WPA
Big Mets loser: Tylor Megill, -30.6% WPA
Mets pitchers: -9.6% WPA
Mets hitters: +59.6% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Luis Torrens hits a two-run double in the fifth, +18.9% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Joey Gallo hits a go-ahead two-run home run in the fourth, -25.5% WPA