Leaving out the first half of one of my favorite quotes, from Dumb & Dumber, “you go and do something like this….. and totally redeem yourself!” After splitting a series with the Diamondbacks, the Mets completed a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals in the nation’s capital and head oversees for a two-game series in London against the Phillies with strong momentum.
The Mets enter the London Series with a record of 27-35, which is 16.5 games behind the first-place Phillies. As a reminder to everyone who listened to the Sports Truth podcast this week, I couldn’t care less that this series is being played in London, but the Mets will need to produce against a tough Phillies team no matter the location.
One lineup decision by manager Carlos Mendoza has stuck with over the past week is the benching of Jeff McNeil. After playing in 55 of the team’s first 56 games, McNeil did not play in any of the games against the Nationals (all started by lefties). Mendoza has admitted that a big driver of the benching is so that McNeil can get his head right, as any observer of the team can tell that he has not been himself so far this season.
With that, below is a rundown of key stats from each of the games of the sweep over the Nationals.
Game 1: Mets 8, Nationals 7
A solid offensive game by the Mets lineup was almost wasted by another meltdown by the Mets bullpen. This time was different though, as they held on for an 8-7 victory.
The offense was paced by a trio of right handers. Starling Marte was three for five and scored two runs in the game. Similarly, Jose Iglesias produced three hits, crossed the plate twice and added an RBI. On the power side, Mark Vientos continued producing since his recent call up to the big league club, going two for three with a solo home run, two runs scored and the RBI.
Getting the start for the Mets was Tylor Megill. It was not one of his best outings but did enough to pick up his first win of the season. Over 87 pitches in five innings Megill gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks to go along with four strikeouts. The bullpen shut down the Nationals for the next three innings behind Adrian Houser and Drew Smith. Of note, this was Smith’s first appearance since April 23rd as he returned from injury. In the ninth, the Mets bullpen executed the same playbook as the last few series, making things way too interesting. Adam Ottavino started the frame with an 8-5 lead and only recorded one out before giving way to Jake Diekman with one out and the score 8-6. Diekman gave up a sacrifice fly to make it 8-7 before striking out Drew Millas to end the game.
For the Nationals, the lineup primarily rode the backs of Jesse Winker and Joey Gallo (yes the same Joey Gallo of recent Yankees lore). Winker went three for four with three RBIs and a walk. Gallo hit his fifth home run of the year, a two-run shot in the fourth inning off Megill.
Toeing the rubber for Washington was their new ace Mackenzie Gore. He had a tough outing, going 4.1 innings and being charged with six runs on seven hits with four walks and two strikeouts. His record now stands at 4-5 with a 3.57 ERA. he bullpen combo of Dylan Floro, Jacob Barnes, Jordan Weems, and and Tanner Rainey went the final 4.2 innings, surrendering two runs (one earned).
Game 2: Mets 6, Nationals 3
All nine starters in the lineup for the Mets provided a hit and the Mets continued the string of giving up ninth inning run(s). However, they were able to hold on again for their second straight win.
Offensively, the Mets drove in six runs on 13 hits. The home runs were provided by Harrison Bader in the fourth inning, his third of the year, and Pete Alonso in the ninth, with the two-run blast being his 14th of the season. Starling Marte drove in two and scored twice. The other run was driven in by Mark Vientos.
Getting the start for the Mets was David Peterson, his second start of the year. His record moved to 1-0 with the win, as he went 6.2 innings, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks with two strikeouts. With the Mets ahead 5-2 with two out in the bottom of the seventh inning, new bullpen hero Dedniel Nunez came in, struck out Lane Thomas to end the inning and also pitched a scoreless eighth. In the ninth, prior bullpen hero Reed Garrett entered and gave up a run before finishing the win.
The Nationals produced three runs on six hits. Jacob Young was three for three with two RBIs and Jesse Winker scored all three runs for Washington.
Making his first start of his career, DJ Herz took the loss by surrendering four runs on seven hits in four innings of work. He walked two and struck out three over 75 pitches. The bullpen gave up two more runs over the final five innings.
Game 3: Mets 9, Nationals 1
In the last game the Mets play in the States before traveling to England for the London Series, New York ended the series in style with a sweep. A relatively new Met homered twice, the new leadoff hitter continued showing he is comfortable in that spot, and the newly minted third baseman is also feeling at home. On the mound, the pseudo-Ace continues to make his case.
The Mets scored their nine runs on 11 hits. For the second game in a row, all starters produced at least one hit. Francisco Lindor went two for five with a solo home run and two runs scored. After struggling to get to a .200 average, Lindor now stands at .235 with a .712 OPS. Recently acquired catcher Luis Torrens went two for four with both hits being home runs. At the hot corner, Mark Vientos went one for four. He has now hit safely in 11 of his last 13 games. For the season, his average is .333 with five home runs, 12 RBIs and an OPS of 1.013.
Pitching for the Mets was Luis Severino and he has continued his strong first season in Queens. He let the bullpen rest before the long trip to London, going eight innings. Over that span, he gave up only one run on seven hits, did not walk anyone and struck out four. On the season, his record is 4-2 with a 3.25 ERA. Danny Young pitched a scoreless ninth to put the series in the books.
For the Nationals, Joey Gallo drove in Keibert Ruiz on a sacrifice fly for the only Washington run of the game, in the eighth inning.
On the mound, Patrick Corbin’s disappointing season continues for the Nationals. With this start spanning 5.1 innings with six Met runs charged to Corbin, his season record is 1-7 with a 6.15 ERA.
Written by: Jason Krom
Stats by espn.com
***Are you interested in sports betting? If so make sure to use our promo code below where you can get your deposit matched (up to $1000), use promo code Sportz***
***Have you tried Dubby?? Are you looking for a Pre-Workout??
Use our promo code : WeLikeSportz for 10% off!
WE LIKE SPORTZ SHOW 
Leave a comment