Mets Hang On To Beat Nationals 2-1 Behind Bichette Two-Run Double and Stellar Pitching

 

Mets LF Juan Soto and Catcher Luis Torrens (Photo Credits to Brad Mills-Imagn Images)

The New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 2-1 this afternoon at Nationals Park to snap their two-game losing streak and split their four game series and improved their record to 22-28.

The Met offense did not do much outside of the top of the third when D.H. M.J. Melendez was hit by a pitch was hit by a pitch with one out and then catcher Luis Torrens followed by reaching on an infield hit.

RF Carson Benge then singled to load the bases and SS Bo Bichette drove in Melendez and Torrens with a two-run single up the middle.

They had a chance to break the game open in the top of the ninth with the based loaded and no out, but Melendez struck out, Torrens lined out to second baseman Nasim Nunez and Benge flew out to deep right centerfield that was knocked out by the wind.

Mets LHP David Peterson retired the first two hitters he faced in the bottom of the first and then walked three straight hitters to load the bases. Peterson was able to escape out of trouble and then settled down with scoreless innings in the bottom of the second, third and fourth.

Peterson gave up a run in the bottom of the fifth and was able to get out of further trouble after 1B Mark Vientos made a nice diving grab to his left to strand runner at third base.

Peterson was taken out after the inning and his final line was five innings, four hits, one run, three walks and three strikeouts.

He picked up his third win and lowered his ERA to 5.03.

RHP Huascar Brazoban followed with a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth.

LHP Brooks Raley came in next and threw a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh.

RHP Luke Weaver came on in the bottom of the eighth and threw a scoreless inning.

RHP Devin Williams followed in the bottom of the ninth and got off to a rocky start after CF A.J. Ewing misplayed a fly ball by DH Daylen Lile due to a wind which lead to a lead-off double.

Williams was able to get the next out on a ground-out and then came back to strike out pinch-hitter Jose Tena swinging at a change-up in the dirt and then was able to retire catcher Keibert Ruiz on a ground-out to close out the game.

Williams picked up his seventh save of the season.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night, Friday, May 22 at the Miami Marlins at 7:10 p.m.

Game 50: Mets vs. Nationals Starting Lineup and Pitching Match-Up

 Mets Starting Lineup:

1. Carson Benge-RF

2. Bo Bichette-SS

3. Juan Soto-LF

4. Mark Vientos-1B

5. Brett Baty-3B

6. Marcus Semien-2B

7. A.J. Ewing-CF

8. M.J. Melendez-DH

9. Luis Torrens-C

The pitching match-up is LHP David Peterson (2-4, 5.40 ERA) vs. RHP Cade Cavilli (2-2, 4.05 ERA)

Mets Lose to Nationals 8-4 And Waste Two Homers From Juan Soto

 

Mets LHP Zach Thornton (Photo Credits to Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)

The New York Mets lost to the Washington Nationals 8-4 tonight at Nationals Park for their second consecutive loss and dropped their record to 21-28.

LHP Zack Thornton made his ML debut and got off to a difficult start in the bottom of the first after he gave up a three-run homer to SS C.J. Abrams.

Thornton gave up another walk in the bottom of the second after he gave up a walk and then catcher Hayden Senger made up a throwing error to advance the runner to the third. This lead to a sacrifice fly by catcher Keibert Ruiz.

Thornton was able to settle down after that retiring the next eight hitters in a row.

Thornton gave up a lead-off double to Ruiz in the bottom of the fifth and a fly out by LF James Wood and was then taken out.

Thornton's final line was 4.1 innings, four runs, two walks and three strikeouts.

RHP Adam Warren came in next and was helped out by his defense after RF Carson Benge made a strong throw to throw out Ruiz at home for the last out in the inning.

Warren stayed in for the bottom of the sixth and gave up back-to-back singles to start the inning and a sacrifice fly to LF Daylen Lile and a double to CF Jacob Young and was taken out.

RHP Craig Kimbrel followed and gave up a sacrifice fly to 2B Nasim Nunez.

Kimbrel stayed in the for the bottom of the seventh and had a 1-2-3 inning. He stayed in for the bottom of the eighth after he gave up a two-run homer to Young.

After a scoreless top of the first, 1B Mark Vientos doubled to lead off the top of the second and two batters later, 3B Brett Baty drove in Vientos with a RBI single.

In the top of the third, LF Juan Soto hit a solo homer.

In the top of the eighth, SS Bo Bichette singled and Soto followd with a two-run homer, his second homer of the game.

The Met offense did not do much all night and they went 1-3 with runners in scoring position leaving three runners on base.

The Mets next game is tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, May 21 at the Nationals at 4:05 p.m.

Game 49: Mets vs. Nationals Starting Lineup and Pitching Match-Up

 Mets Starting Lineup:

1. Carson Benge-RF

2. Bo Bichette-SS

3. Juan Soto-LF

4. Mark Vientos-1B

5. M.J. Melendez-DH

6. Brett Baty-3B

7. Marcus Semien-2B

8. A.J. Ewing-CF

9. Hayden Senger-C

The pitching match-up is LHP Zach Thornton (MLB debut) vs. RHP Zack Littell (2-4, 6.10 ERA)

Mets Lose to Nationals 9-6 After Nolan McLean along with poor defense blows five Run Lead

 

Mets RHP Nolan McLean (Photo Credits to Rafael Suaness-Imagn Images)

The New York Mets lost to the Washington Nationals 9-6 tonight at Nationals Park to snap their three-game winning streak and dropped their record to 21-27.

RHP Nolan McLean had a scoreless bottom of the first, but then it fell apart for him in the bottom of the second. 

McLean retired the first two hitters he faced and then gave up a double, hit by pitch, infield hit to load the bases and then an inside-the park grand slam by 1B James Wood. LF Nick Morabito making his ML debut nearly caught but the ball went off his glove and rolled into center field.

McLean's struggles continued in the bottom of the third after he gave up a lead-off homer to DH Jose Tena and then walked 2B C.J Abrams.

McLean then gave up a single to LF Daylen Lile and a passed ball which scored the go-ahead run. Two batters later, McLean gave up a sacrifice fly to Vivas.

McLean was let down by his defense in the bottom of the fourth after 2B Marcus Semien made a throwing error and then catcher Luis Torrens made a throwing error which allowed two runs to score.

McLean stayed in for the bottom of the fifth and threw a scoreless inning.

McLean retired the first two hitters he faced in the bottom of the sixth and then hit Abrams and was taken out.

His final line was 5.2 innings, eight hits, nine runs, (six earned runs), two walks and five strikeouts.

RHP Daniel Duerte who was recalled from Triple-A threw 2.1 scoreless innings.

The Met offense got off to a fast start in the top of the first after RF Carson Benge led off with an infield hit and 3B Bo Bichette followed with a two-run homer. DH Juan Soto followed with a single and 1B Mark Vientos followed with a double. 2B Marcus Semien then drove in Soto with a sacrfice fly.

In the top of the second, Benge singled with two outs and then Bichette followed with a two-run homer, his second homer of the game.

In the top of the seventh, Soto added a solo homer.

The Met offense was unable to come up with any timely hits and went 0-3 with runners in scoring position leaving four runners on base.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night, Wednesday, May 20 at the Nationals at 6:45 p.m.

Game 48: Mets vs. Nationals Starting Lineup and Pitching Match-Up

 Mets Starting Lineup:

1. Carson Benge-RF

2. Bo Bichette-SS

3. Juan Soto-DH

4. Mark Vientos-1B

5. Marcus Semuen-2B

6. Tyrone Taylor-CF

7. Nick Morabito-LF

8. Brett Baty-3B

9. Luis Torrens-C

The pitching match-up is RHP Nolan McLean (2-2, 2.92 ERA) vs. LHP Foster Griffin (4-2, 3.53 ERA)

Mets Call Up Outfield Prospect Nick Morabito

 

Mets OF Nick Morabito (Photo Credits to Ed Delany-MetsMerized)

The New York Mets are promoting top outfield prospect Nick Morabito after they designated Austin Slater for assignment on Tuesday morning.

Morabito, 23, was a second round pick by the Mets in 2022 out of Gonzaga High School in Washington, DC. He is known for hitting for contact, defense in the outfield and amazing speed. 

Morabito had a .754 OPS with four homers, seven other extra-base hits, and 21 stolen bases in 41 games this year for Triple-A Syracuse. He had mostly played centerfield, but can play all three outfield positions and very little experience at second base.

It's possible that Morabito could play left field if Juan Soto goes to DH with his injuries this season. He could also come off the bench as a platoon option against lefties, a late-inning defensive replacement and a pinch-running specialist.

If Morabito plays left field, he would help form one of the fastest and best defensive outfields in baseball with fellow rookies Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing.

Benge and Ewing have been sparkplugs in the Mets improved play in their 11-5 stretch recently and Morabito will only help to add more energy, enthusiasm and excitement to their youth movement.