Mets give up big lead as Nats win a walk-off with Edwin Diaz unavailable

Nationals 8 Mets 7 (Nationals Park, Washington, DC)

Mets record: 19-9

Mets streak: Lost 1

WP - Jorge Lopez (3-0)

LP - Ryne Stanek (0-2)

Seat on the Korner:

We select the star of the game and virtually invite him to a Seat on the Korner, just as Ralph Kiner used to do for his studio postgame show on WOR-channel 9 broadcasts in the early decades of the Mets.

C.J. Abrams only had one hit all game, but it was the hit that tied the game in the bottom of the 9th after his diving stop in the top of the 9th with the infield in prevented the Mets from getting a much needed insurance run. The Nationals would ride Abrams' heroics to the first truly disappointing Mets loss of the season.

Need to Know

The six run lead was the largest blown lead in a loss since July 17th 2021 against Pittsburgh.
This is the second win for former Met Jorge Lopez this series, just as it is the second loss for Ryne Stanek this series.
Alex Call went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, and hit the double in the 9th off Stanek which proved to be the tying run.
Tylor Megill's line looked pedestrian at 6 and 1/3 innings having given up three runs. But he struck out 9 and only walked one hitter as he dominated the Nationals. Of the three runs that were scored one was on a home run, but the second run was due to a fly ball double that blinded Juan Soto, and the third was an inherited run given up by Jose Butto as he set the house on fire coming in for Megill in the 7th.
Megill's outing set a personal record for number of pitches thrown at 105. It was only the second time in 28 games that a Mets starter had thrown a pitch in the 7th inning.http://105.It
Dylan Crews' solo homer in the second inning was the first homer that a Mets starter had given up since April 11th in West Sacramento. It ended up as the 5th longest homerless streak in innings by a starting staff in Mets history.
Mitchell Parker had a 1.39 ERA coming into today's action, but a 9.31 ERA against the Mets in two starts. Both numbers have risen greatly after Parker gave up five runs in the first inning. But he made it through five innings and gave the Nationals a chance to win the game.
Francisco Lindor's infield single in the first raised his average to .500 when leading off a game.

Turning Point

The honest turning point was in the top of the 7th with Tylor Megill cruising. Luis Garcia hit a fly ball that should have been an out, but Juan Soto lost it in the sun for a leadoff double. It set the stage for a five run Nats rally to close the gap to 7-6 as Riley Adams' three run homer capped off the inning.

Jose Butto gave up three runs in his 2/3's, but it seemed like he was responsible for more. And it set up what would be the worst loss of the young season.

Three Keys

Take Human Bites

I want to make sure Megill, even in the loss, gets his props for a great day. Nothing drives the people in my text chats crazy more than when a pitcher gets a big lead, then immediately takes the mound and nibbles, nibbles, and nibbles some more. Thankfully Megill, who started with a 5-0 lead, came in filling the zone.

In that first inning, he would throw 11 strikes out of 12 pitches. He didn't pitch scared, and threw heat with no regard for human life. It set the tone for a great day where his sequencing was on point and fooled the Nationals all day long. (And he frustrated Nats' assistant hitting coach Chris Johnson to the point where he was ejected in the 6th for arguing with the home plate ump.)

Et Tu, Contact Play?

The Mets had a chance to get some much needed insurance runs in the 9th as Juan Soto led off with a single, Pete Alonso was hit by a pitch, and a wild pitch sent them to second and third with nobody out.

With the infield in, Mark Vientos hit a hard ground ball that Abrams made a diving play on to get the first out. Then Starling Marte hit one to Abrams that was more routine for the second out. The Mets didn't put on the contact play either time to force Abrams to make a play at home. The inning ended meekly with a Brandon Nimmo grounder to end the inning and set up the bottom of the ninth.

Et Tu, Edwin?

The Mets are obviously concerned with Edwin Diaz's load, as it was Stanek in to get the save instead of Diaz. Unfortunately, it was a familiar scene for Stanek as he gave up a hit to start the inning, just like Friday. Then after the runner was moved to third, Abrams drove him in with the infield in.

Then with one out, Luis Garcia Jr. hit a grounder to Alonso for what would have been a tough 3-1 putout.

Too tough, obviously.

The bullpen, which has been so good all season, was due for a meltdown. But giving up a six run lead is a pretty bad meltdown. The worst part of it was that it wasted such a great outing by Megill in the process. Now you just hope that this is a one time thing and not a month long slump by the pen, especially if they'll have to cover more holes with A.J. Minter being out for however long he's going to be out, and with Diaz's workload being managed early in the season.