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.