Mets Beat Nationals 5-2 and Verlander Earns 250th Career Win

Mets RF Jeff McNeil (Photo Credits to John Jones-USA Today Sports)

The New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 5-2 this afternoon at Citi Field to take three out of four games in the series and improved their record to 50-55.

In the bottom of the first, CF Brandon Nimmo and SS Francisco Lindor started off the inning with walks and two batters later, 1B Pete Alonso delivered a RBI single to score Nimmo.

After a scoreless bottom of the second, Lindor doubled to lead off the bottom of the third and RF Jeff McNeil followed with a RBI triple.

Alonso then drove in McNeil with a sacrifice fly and DH Daniel Vogelbach followed with a single.

LF Mark Canha walked and then 3B Brett Baty singled to load the bases.

Catcher Omar Navarez then drove in Vogelbach with a sacrifice fly.

In the bottom of the fourth, Lindor hit a solo homer with one out for his 21th homer of the year.

RHP Justin Verlander allowed one run on five hits in 5.1 innings.

Verlander gave up one walk with five strikeouts.

He picked up his sixth win of the season and 250th career win of his stellar Hall of Fame career.

Verlander lowered his ERA to 3.15 and has allowed one run or fewer in five out of his last seven starts.

LHP David Peterson came in next and had another solid outing of the bullpen allowing one unearned run in two innings.

RHP Adam Ottavino had to come in to get the last two outs in the top of the eighth.

LHP Brooks Raley closed it out with a scoreless top of the ninth and picked up his third save.

The Mets are off tomorrow and return to action on Tuesday, August 1 at the Kansas City Royals at 8:10 p.m.