Mets vs. Nationals Game 156 Recap

LF Michael Conforto

The New York Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 8-6 this afternoon to take two out of three games in the series and improved their record to 73-86. SS Amed Rosario led off the top of the first inning and 2B Jeff McNeil followed with a single. Rosario later scored on a sac fly by RF Jay Bruce. In the top of the fourth inning, 3B Todd Frazier led off with a double and pinch-hitter Jose Reyes and SS Amed Rosario walked to load the bases. McNeil drove in Frazier with a RBI single and LF Michael Conforto broke the game open with a based loaded triple. 1B Dominc Smith doubled to begin the top of the fifth inning and catcher Kevin Plawecki drove him in with a RBI double. SS Amed Rosario drove in Plawecki with a RBI single. RF Jay Bruce doubled to lead off the top of the sixth inning and Frazier and CF Brandon Nimmo walked to load the bases. Bruce later scored on a fielder's choice by Kevin Plawecki.

LHP Steven Matz had two scoreless innings in the bottom of the first and second innings, but struggled in the bottom of the third inning after he gave up an, solo homer to LF Victor Robles, RBI double to RF Bryce Harper, and walked catcher Spencer Kieboom with the based loaded. Matz was taken out after the inning. His final line was 3 innings, 3 runs,  5 hits, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. RHP Drew Gagnon came in  next and threw two scoreless innings in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings. Gagnon picked up his first win of the season. RHP Paul Sewald loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. LHP Daniel Zamora had to come in to retire RF Bryce Harper with the last out in the last out of the bottom of the sixth inning. RHP Drew Smith threw a scoreless bottom of the seventh inning, but gave up 4 runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. LHP Jerry Blevins followed in the inning and got Harper to fly out. RHP Anthony Swarsak appeared next and walked 2B Anthony Rendon, but struck out 1B Mark Reynolds and retired pinch-hitter Juan Soto to end the inning. Swarsak stayed in for the bottom of the ninth and retired the last three outs and picked up his fourth save on the season.

The Mets have an off day tomorrow and return to action at home on Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves at 7:10 P.M.