Mets Beat Nationals 2-0 Behind Alvarez Homer and Strong Pitching

 

Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (Photo Credits to Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

The New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 2-0 this afternoon at Nationals Park to improve their record to 19-8.

The Met offense provided all of the scoring it needed in the top of the second after DH Jesse Winkler singled with two outs and then catcher Francisco Alvarez followed with a two-run homer.

RHP Clay Holmes had an outstanding start despite two rain delays with five scoreless innings allowing four hits and no walks with two strikeouts,

Holmes had an excellent sinker which helped him induce 10 groundouts. 

He was in total command and could have gone deeper if not for the rain delays.

Holmes picked up his third win and lowered his ERA to 2.64.

LHP Danny Young followed with a scoreless bottom of the sixth allowing one hit with three strikeouts.

RHP Reed Garrett came in next in the bottom of the seventh and continued his dominant start to the season with another scoreless inning.

LHP A.J. Minter came on in the bottom of the eighth and gave up a walk and strikeout, but then had to leave the game due to triceps soreness.

RHP Max Kranick had to come in a huge spot and picked up the two biggest outs of the game with the tying run at the plate after he struck out 1B Nathaniel Lowe and then retired DH Josh Bell on a fly out.

RHP Edwin Diaz came on in the bottom of the ninth and gave up a one-out walk, but struck out three hitters in the inning to pick up his seventh win.

The Mets next game is tomorrow afternoon, Sunday, April 27 at the Nationals at 1:35 p,m.