FLUSHING, NY, August 13th – The New York Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 8-2 earning a split of the four-game series Thursday afternoon at Citi Field. The Mets pounded out 13 hits and hit three home runs with two by catcher Tomas Nido. Rookie pitcher David Peterson continues to impress winning his third game in four starts.
Peterson Battles
David Peterson has a knack of pitching himself into trouble and calmly pitching out of it. Although on Thursday the Mets defense helped put Peterson in a hole only to bail him out. After walking Trea Turner leading off the game Adam Eaton hit a dribbler in front of the plate. Catcher Tomas Nido picked up the ball and fired it to second base. Andres Gimenez could not reach the ball as it sailed into centerfield setting up the Nationals early in the game.
With runners on second and third, Starlin Castro walked to load the bases bringing up Met killer Juan Soto. As every Mets fan feared the worst Peterson struck him out looking on three pitches. Howie Kendrick was up next and he hit a groundball off the foot of Peterson. When Peterson located the ball he fired to first base for the second out but Turner scored the games first run. Had Peterson fielded the ball cleanly it would have been an easy double play.
Next up was Asdrubal Cabrera who hit a line drive to leftfield. Jeff McNeil raced back towards the leftfield wall to make the catch. In the process, McNeil banged his knee off of the wall. McNeil secured the ball as he fell to the ground to end the inning. But McNeil would have to be carted off the field.
Mets Slug Three Homers
The Mets got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning when Dominic Smith crushed a 2-0 pitch from Austin Voth over the centerfield wall. Smith has been getting regular at-bats since Yoenis Cespedes opted out and is the team leader in home runs with four and RBI with 12.
In the fourth inning, the Tomas Nido show started. Smith led off the inning with a double to centerfield. After a groundout, Nido hit a long home run to left-centerfield giving the Mets a 3-1 lead. In the fifth inning, Seth Romero relieved Voth and with one out Michael Conforto and Pete Alonso hit back to back singles. After Smith struck out, Gimenez walked loading the bases for Nido. Romero would get ahead of Nido 0-2, but grooved a fastball that Nido took deep to left field for a grand slam. Romero, who was making his major league debut, had never pitched above Single-A.
Peterson, Mets Pen Dominate Nats
David Peterson got into a groove after the first inning and only allowed two base runners in the next four innings. In total, Peterson pitched five innings allowing one hit, two walks, and one unearned run with three strikeouts. Jared Hughes relieved Peterson and pitched two innings only allowing a home run to Juan Soto.
Edwin Diaz pitched the eighth inning and despite allowing two runners to reach base he pitched well. Adam Eaton had an infield hit and Soto reached on an error by J.D. Davis. With two runners on and one out, Diaz struck out Howie Kendrick and Asdrubal Cabrera. Brad Brach loaded the bases in the ninth inning but was able to pitch a scoreless inning.
The Mets bullpen has really picked it up in the last three games. In 14 innings pitched the pen has allowed four runs on 11 hits, three walks, and has struck out 16 batters.
Ejections and Warnings
In the bottom of the third inning with Pete Alonso at the plate, the Nationals started to question home plate umpire Carlos Torres’ strike zone. After looking towards the dugout, Torres ejected Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg who was in the stands. With no fans in attendance, Strasburg’s comments were heard loud and clear by everyone on the field and watching at home. Strasburg yelled “You’re (expletive) brutal” and was ejected immediately.
J.D. Davis was hit by an Austin Voth fastball in the bottom of the third inning. The next inning Juan Soto was hit by David Peterson. Both benches were warned. Soto appeared to glance out at Peterson but nothing would happen. Soto went 7 for 15 with four home runs and eight runs driven in during the four-game series and has continued to torment the Mets.
Inside the Box Score
Brandon Nimmo hit a leadoff double that extended his on-base streak to 34 games. The streak is tied with Pete Alonso and Carlos Delgado for the third-most in franchise history. Michael Conforto extended a streak of his own as well. After walking in the third inning, Conforto has reached base in 21 consecutive games. Alonso batted fifth for the second straight game. Luis Guillorme started his third straight game at second base and has five hits in nine at-bats.
Injury Notes
Jeff McNeil was diagnosed as having a left knee contusion and is currently listed as day to day, but is not expected to play this weekend when the Mets travel to Philadelphia. Amed Rosario is still battling a stomach ailment and missed his third straight game. Robinson Cano played in a simulated game on Wednesday but was not able to work out prior to yesterday’s game due to the tarp remaining on the field with the threat of morning rain. The Mets hope to get Cano back for Friday night’s game.
What’s Next
The Mets put their two-game winning streak on the line Friday night when they open a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies. Mets ace Jacob deGrom (2-0, 2.45) gets the start for New York. The Phillies have not announced their starting pitcher as of yet.
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