Mets 7 Nationals 0 (Citi Field, Flushing, N.Y.)
Mets record: 47-45
Mets streak: Won 3
WP - David Peterson (4-0)
LP - Mackenzie Gore (6-8)
L10 6-4
Seat on the Korner: Brandon Nimmo
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.
Brandon Nimmo, who despite not being an All-Star at the moment, came into today's game riding a streak of three consecutive home runs, a first in his career. While he didn't add to that tally today, his impact was undeniable as he played a pivotal role in the crucial 5th inning. Here's how it unfolded: Luis Torrens started the inning with a double to left field. After a pop out by Harrison Bader and a strikeout of Tyrone Taylor, Jeff McNeil and Francisco Lindor drew consecutive walks to load the bases. Brandon Nimmo then delivered a clutch bases-clearing double to center field, driving in Torrens, McNeil, and Lindor to break the game open. Nimmo's hit was instrumental in setting up the Mets' offensive surge. Later in the inning, after J.D. Martinez singled to score Nimmo and Dylan Floro relieved MacKenzie Gore on the mound, Pete Alonso capped off the scoring with an RBI single. Nimmo's contributions underscored his recent hot streak at the plate, where he has significantly improved his batting average and on-base percentage since the beginning of June, He has safely reached base in 23 of his last 24 games. In his last 32 games Brandon is hitting .317 with 9 home runs 33 rbis
Need to Know
Mets starter David Peterson now has a Career Record vs. WAS (12 G/9 GS): 5-1, 3.09 ERA (19 ER/55.2 IP)
Peterson has pitched to a 2.52 ERA (18 ER/64.2 IP) in 15 home outings (11 starts)...Over 13 road outings (11 starts) this season, the southpaw has pitched to a 7.47 ERA (44 ER/53.0 IP)
Mackenzie Gore faced the Mets for the seventh time in his career and for the fourth time this season..He’s 1-3 with a 4.62 ERA (15 ER/29.2 IP) in his career against the Mets.
With his first inning single Lane Thomas has reached base safely in 13 straight games, and now has hit safely in ten of the 13 games.
With his second inning lead off double Juan Yepiz the power-hitting first baseman who was a non-roster invite to 2024 Spring Training, now Has hits in all seven games with Washington.
David Peterson's errant throw in the first inning was the seventh straight game in which the Mets have committed an error.
The Mets are 11-2 over their 13 games at Citi Field. New York is 24-25 at home this year (24-24) at Citi Field.
The Mets are in the midst of 18 straight games against teams who currently have records below .500...The team is 7-4 in this stretch...The Mets are 29-20 this season when facing a team with a record below .500.
The Mets have hit 45 home runs over their last 26 games since June 12...That is the most home runs in the majors in that span...This included a period where the team hit a homer in 16-straight games, which was the second-longest streak in franchise history...Overall, the Mets have hit 114 home runs this season, tied for the fourth-most in the majors.
James Wood has reached base safely in ten of 11 games since being called up on July 1...He has ten hits, six walks and one hit by pitch in 47 plate appearances (.315 OBP).
The Mets earned their seventh sweep of the season...It was also the second time the Mets swept the Nationals this year (also, June 3-5)...The last time the Mets swept Washington at Citi Field was from October 4-5, 2022.
It took 92 games and a Houdini type bases loaded escape job by Adam Ottavino to secure the Mets first shutout of the season.
Turning Point
The turning point of today's game occurred in the top of the second inning when the Nationals had David Peterson on the ropes. The inning began with Juan Yepez doubling sharply to left field, putting him on second base. Luis García Jr. then singled on a ground ball to shortstop Francisco Lindor, advancing Yepez to third and putting runners on the corners with no outs. However, Peterson buckled down and struck out Trey Lipscomb swinging for the first out. He continued his dominance by fanning Jacob Young, also swinging, for the second out. The threat was finally extinguished when Peterson caught CJ Abrams looking, completing the three-strikeout escape and leaving the Nationals' potential rally unfulfilled.
Three Keys
Start Me Up !!
Over the last rotation spanning six games, the Mets' starting pitchers have been stellar, boasting an impressive 1.50 ERA (6 earned runs over 36 innings pitched). They've demonstrated excellent control with just 13 walks while striking out 28 batters. This dominant performance has directly contributed to the Mets' 5-1 record during this stretch, highlighting the effectiveness of their starting rotation. Looking specifically at July, in 11 starts, the Mets' rotation has maintained a solid 2.68 ERA (20 earned runs over 67.1 innings pitched). Alongside their disciplined pitching, they've issued 23 walks and recorded 41 strikeouts, showcasing both consistency and reliability on the mound throughout the month. This strong showing underscores the Mets' ability to compete at a high level due and stay in the wildcard hunt due to their starting pitching depth and performance under pressure.
88 is 50: Welcome Phil Maton
In his debut for the New York Mets, Phil Maton wore his familiar number 88, a jersey he's worn since his 2017 major league debut with the Padres. He became the Mets' 50th player and 31st player to take the mound this season. Maton's inning unfolded with precision: he struck out Trey Lipscomb and Jacob Young consecutively, showing command and poise. The inning was briefly interrupted by an on-field delay after former Met and current Nationals bench coach Miguel Cairo was ejected by HP umpire Chad Fairchild for arguing from the dugout following Lipscomb's strikeout. Maton then closed the inning by inducing a pop-out from CJ Abrams. His debut showcased his ability to handle pressure and bolster the Mets' bullpen with his pitching prowess.
Look who is in a Wildcard Spot
As of May 29th, the New York Mets found themselves struggling at 22-33, sitting 6 games out of a wildcard spot with 6 teams ahead of them in the standings. However, with their latest victory, the Mets have made a remarkable turnaround. They now boast a record of 47-45, propelling them into the third wildcard position, narrowly edging out the Padres by percentage points. This resurgence underscores their resilience and determination throughout the season, as they've managed to climb back into playoff contention despite the earlier setbacks. The Mets' improved performance highlights their ability to capitalize on key opportunities and underscores their competitive spirit as they continue to pursue postseason aspirations.
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