Mets Lose to Nationals 9-6 After Nolan McLean along with poor defense blows five Run Lead

 

Mets RHP Nolan McLean (Photo Credits to Rafael Suaness-Imagn Images)

The New York Mets lost to the Washington Nationals 9-6 tonight at Nationals Park to snap their three-game winning streak and dropped their record to 21-27.

RHP Nolan McLean had a scoreless bottom of the first, but then it fell apart for him in the bottom of the second. 

McLean retired the first two hitters he faced and then gave up a double, hit by pitch, infield hit to load the bases and then an inside-the park grand slam by 1B James Wood. LF Nick Morabito making his ML debut nearly caught but the ball went off his glove and rolled into center field.

McLean's struggles continued in the bottom of the third after he gave up a lead-off homer to DH Jose Tena and then walked 2B C.J Abrams.

McLean then gave up a single to LF Daylen Lile and a passed ball which scored the go-ahead run. Two batters later, McLean gave up a sacrifice fly to Vivas.

McLean was let down by his defense in the bottom of the fourth after 2B Marcus Semien made a throwing error and then catcher Luis Torrens made a throwing error which allowed two runs to score.

McLean stayed in for the bottom of the fifth and threw a scoreless inning.

McLean retired the first two hitters he faced in the bottom of the sixth and then hit Abrams and was taken out.

His final line was 5.2 innings, eight hits, nine runs, (six earned runs), two walks and five strikeouts.

RHP Daniel Duerte who was recalled from Triple-A threw 2.1 scoreless innings.

The Met offense got off to a fast start in the top of the first after RF Carson Benge led off with an infield hit and 3B Bo Bichette followed with a two-run homer. DH Juan Soto followed with a single and 1B Mark Vientos followed with a double. 2B Marcus Semien then drove in Soto with a sacrfice fly.

In the top of the second, Benge singled with two outs and then Bichette followed with a two-run homer, his second homer of the game.

In the top of the seventh, Soto added a solo homer.

The Met offense was unable to come up with any timely hits and went 0-3 with runners in scoring position leaving four runners on base.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night, Wednesday, May 20 at the Nationals at 6:45 p.m.