Mets vs. Nationals Game 17 Recap

Mets LF Yoenis Cespedes

The New York Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 11-5 tonight to snap their two-game losing streak and improve their record to 13-4. LHP Steven Matz got off to a rocky beginning in the top of the first inning after he gave up a three-run homer to 1B Ryan Zimmermann. Matz settled down after that and pitched three scoreless innings in the top of the second, third and fourth innings. His final line was four innings pitched, three hits, three runs, one walk and six strikeouts. RHP Paul Sewald came in next and had another terrific performance. Sewald pitched two scoreless innings in the top of the fifth and sixth innings before allowing a run in the top of the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly by LF Moises Sierra. This was the second time this week Sewald has thrown three innings after he went three innings on Saturday night and helped give the bullpen a much needed rest. RHP A.J. Ramos pitched a scoreless top of the eighth inning and picked up his first win. RHP Seth Lugo allowed a run in the top of the ninth inning after giving up a homer to Zimmermann, his second of the game.

The offense was held scoreless for the first three innings, but got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning after 1B Adrian Gonzalez hit an RBI single. Catcher Jose Lobaton followed with an RBI ground-out. In the bottom of the eighth inning, 3B Todd Frazier tied the game with a two-run single. CF Juan Lagares hit a two-run double which gave the Mets a 6-4 lead. SS Amed Rosario walked to load the bases and then CF Michael Conforto drew another walk to bring in a run and increase the lead to 7-4. LF Yoenis Cespedes broke it open with a grand slam and put the game out of reach for the Nationals. In all, the Mets scored a total of nine runs with the bases loaded and seven of them came with two outs.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night against the Atlanta Braves at 7:35 P.M.