Mets vs. Nationals Game 3 Recap

RHP Zack Wheeler (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com)

The New York Mets lost to the Washington Nationals 6-5 this afternoon to take two out of three games in the series and dropped their record to 2-1 on the season. RHP Zack Wheeler struggled with command all afternoon and gave up a three-run homer to SS Trea Turner. He showed a life on his fastball and topped out at 97-98 mph, but fell behind into a lot of deep counts. His final line was four earned runs on six hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. RHP Robert Gsellman came in next and gave up a run on three hits in 1 1/3 innings. LHP Justin Wilson followed and threw a scoreless eighth inning, but gave up a solo walk-off homer to Trea Turner in the bottom of the ninth inning.

1B Pete Alonso drove in the first run of the game in the top of the third inning with an RBI double his third double of the season. In the top of the sixth inning, 3B J.D Davis doubled to lead off the inning, RF Michael Conforto singled, but then SS Amed Rosario grounded into a double play to bring home a run, but  ruined any further opportunities to score. In the top of the eighth inning, 2B Robinson Cano singled to lead off the inning, and then later Michael Conforto singled and Amed Rosario drove in a run with an RBI single. Catcher Wilson Ramos and pinch-hitter Juan Lagares drove in runs with RBI singles and Lagares drove home the tying run.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night at the Miami Marlins at 7:10 P.M.

Game 3: Mets vs. Nationals Starting Lineup and Pitching Match-Uo

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Brandon Nimmo-RF
2. Pete Alonso-1B
3. Robinson Cano-2B
4. J.D. Davis-3B
5. Michael Conforto-RF
6. Amed Rosario-SS
7. Keon Broxton-CF
8. Tomas Nido-C
9. Zack Wheeler-RHP

The pitching match-up is Zack Wheeler (12-7, 3.31 ERA in 2018) vs. LHP Patrick Corbin (11-7, 3.15 ERA in 2018)

Mets vs. Nationals Game 2 Recap

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com)

The New York Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 11-8 today for their second consecutive win and improved their record to 2-0 on the season. In the top of the first inning, the offense got off to a fast start after 1B Pete Alonso singled, RF Michael Conforto singled with two outs and advanced to second on a throwing error by CF Victor Robles and Alonso advanced to third due to some heads-up baserunning. Catcher Wilson Ramos drove them in with a two-run double. LF Jeff McNeil followed with an RBI triple. In the top of the second inning, 3B J.D. Davis grounded out to lead off the inning, starting pitcher RHP Noah Syndergarrd drew a walk, CF Brandon Nimmo moved Syndergarrd over to second with a bunt and Alonso drove in the first run of his career with an RBI single. The bats were quiet until the top of the eighth inning after Wilson Ramos led off the inning with an infield single. Jeff McNeil followed with a single and SS Amed Rosario walked to load the bases. 3B J.D. Davis broke the tie with a two-run single. Rosario scored before the next pitch was thrown on a balk by Nationals reliever Kyle Barraclough. Pinch-hitter Dominic Smith lined out to first base and Nimmo grounded out to move Davis to second. 1B Peter Alonso broke the game open with a RBI double. In the top of the ninth inning, RF Michael Conforto led off with a single, Wilson Ramos walked and McNeil hit an RBI double, his fourth hit on the day. Rosario and J.D Davis grounded out bur Dominic Smith hit a two-run single.

RHP Noah Syndergarrd didn't have a great outing allowing four runs in six innings. Syndergaard gave up four runs in six innings. He gave up seven hits, but no walks. He had seven strikeouts. He wound up with a no-decision. LHP Justin Wilson came in next and threw a scoreless bottom of the seventh inning and picked up his first win.  RHP Jeurys Familia followed and got the first two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, but was taken out with two outs after he gave up a walk to Juan Soto and a single to Ryan Zimmerman. RHP Seth Lugo had to come in and retired pinch-hitter Matt Adams on a deep fly out to end the inning. Lugo stayed in for the bottom of the ninth inning, bur gave up four unearned runs after 2B Robinson Cano made an error.  Lugo was taken out with two outs in the ninth and closer Edwin Diaz had to come in to get the last out on a fly out by catcher Kurt Suzuki for his first save.

Game 2: Mets vs. Nationals Starting Lineup and Pitching Match-Up

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Brandon Nimmo-CF
2. Pete Alonso-1B
3. Robinson Cano-2B
4. Michael Conforto-RF
5. Wilson Ramos-C
6. Jeff McNeil-LF
7. Amed Rosario-SS
8. J.D. Davis-3B
9. Noah Syndergarrd-RHP

The pitching match-up is Noah Syndergarrd (13-4, 3.03 ERA in 2018) vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (10-7, 3.74 ERA in 2018)

Mets vs. Nationals Game 1 Recap

RHP Jacob deGrom (Credits to MetsMerizedonline.com)

The New York Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 2-0 this afternoon and improved their Opening Day record to 38-20, which is a Major League record. RHP Jacob deGrom had another solid start even though he though he didn't have his best stuff. deGrom cruised through the first two innings and struck out the side in the second, but ran into trouble in the bottom of the third inning after he gave up a double to CF Victor Robles and a single to RF Adam Eaton. deGrom buckled down and struck out SS Trea Turner and then included an inning ending double play started by 2B Robinson Cano.  deGrom had an easier time in the bottom of the fourth and stuck out LF Juan Soto and 1B Ryan Zummerman. He struck out the side again in the bottom of the fifth inning. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Jake escaped out of another jam after he gave up a single and stolen base to Trea Turner, but then got  2B Anthony Rendon to ground-out, struck out Soto and got Zimmerman to fly out to end the inning. deGrom's final line was 6 innings, 5 hits, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts. He set a Major League record with his 30th straight start allowing three runs or fewer. He now has a streak of 25 consecutive starts, which is tied for the second longest streak in MLB history. RHP Seth Lugo came in next and threw a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh inning. RHP Jeurys Familia had a scoreless bottom of the eighth inning and worked around a hit-by-pitch to Adam Eaton. Closer Edwin Diaz closed it out in the bottom of the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning for his first save of the year.

2B Robinson Cano got the offense off to a fast start after he hit a solo homer off Nationals starter Max Scherizer in the top of the first inning. The bats went quiet until the top of the eighth inning after pinch-hitter Dominic Smith walked, 1B Pete Alonso singled, (first MLB hit) and Cano came through again with an RBI single. He led the way offensively with two hits and two RBI's and also help turn a 5-4-2-5 double play to end the bottom of the third inning.

The Mets have an off day tomorrow and return to action on Saturday, March 30th against the Nationals at 1:10 P.M.

Game 1: Mets vs. Nationals Starting Lineup and Pitching Match-Up

Mets Starting Lineup

1. Brandon Nimmo-RF

2. Pete Alonso-1B

3. Robinson Cano-2B

4. Michael Conforto-RF

5.Wilson Ramos-C

6. Jeff McNeil-3B

7. Amed Rosario-SS

8. Juan Lagares-CF

9. Jacob deGrom-RHP

The pitching match-up is Jacob deGrom (10-9, 1.70 ERA in 2018) vs. RHP Max Scherizer (18-7, 2.53 ERA in 2018)

Mets Sign Jacob deGrom to a Five-year extension

RHP Jacob deGrom (credits to MetsMerizedonline.com)

The New York Mets have signed RHP Jacob deGrom to a five-year $137.5 million contract extension through the 2023 season. DeGrom has an opt-out after 2022 season and a team option for 2024. In his contract, degrom also has a no-trade clause.

Here is a breakdown of each year in the contract:

2019: $7 million (plus $10 million signing bonus

2020: $23 million

2021: $33.5 million

2022:  $33.5 million (opt-out after the season)

2023: $30.5 million

2024:  Club option for $32.5 million

Degrom is coming off a dominant season and was awarded the National League Cy Young and had an ERA under 2.00. It's a relief that he was finally given an extension before the season begins on Thursday. General manager Brodie Van Wagaren was under scrutiny from the fans, media and even Mets pitcher Noah Syndergarrd to give deGrom a long term extension.