Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Stroman is not a pitcher who needs to depend on a particular pitch. He likes to adapt; he thrives on much more than the average fastball. His sinker and “split changeup” provide another look into his previous success.

In his last seven games, Stroman had 40 IP, 40 H, 16 ER, 10 BB, 41 K, a 3.60 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He has provided the team with consistency and that is what this New York team needs right now. “I think he’s stabilized us in a lot of ways,” pitching coach Jeremy Hefner said of Stroman. “He’s been our most consistent starter, so we know every fifth day, we know what we’re going to get.”

Stroman was a bit dicey to start off but eventually found his rhythm and pitched a great game Saturday night, throwing six innings and ending the night with a 2.85 ERA. That leaves him tied for seventh in the National League. He also pitched his 1,000th-career MLB inning during Saturday’s game.

In the first inning, Lane Thomas doubled, Alcides Escobar reached on a fielder’s choice, where Thomas was out at third thanks to a nice play by Stroman. Juan Soto and Josh Bell both singled after that to load the bases. Yadiel Hernandez struck out, though, and Carter Kieboom lined out for the third out of the first inning.

The second inning is where the Nationals got to Stroman.

Luis García walked to start the frame, then Riley Adams struck out swinging. Sean Nolin was out on a shallow infield sacrifice bunt next. The top of the lineup rolled around now, and the Nationals start their scoring here: Lane Thomas doubles and García scores. A passed ball bring him to third. Alcides Escobar singles and Thomas scores, leaving the Nationals up 2-0. Stroman got Soto swinging to end the inning.

The first 1-2-3 inning of the night for Stroman occurred in the third. Josh Bell struck out swinging, and both Yadiel Hernandez and Carter Kieboom ground out. This gave the Mets a perfect opportunity for a comeback and that is what they tried to do. Kevin Pillar started it off with a center field homer in the bottom of the third. Nationals 2-1.

The fourth inning, quick and simple… 1-2-3 again. Luis García called out on strikes. Riley Adams grounds out. Sean Nolin called out on strikes. Stroman was doing exactly what the team needed after a bit of an iffy start.

In the fifth, Lane Thomas grounds out. Alcides Escobar singled. Juan Soto flies out. Josh Bell grounds out. The Nationals with a one-run lead can’t hold it for much longer when Kevin Pillar comes through with another Mets’ home run. The game was now tied, 2-2.

In Stroman’s final inning of the game, Yadiel Hernandez singled, Carter Kieboom lined out to a shallow left field and Luis García grounds out to end the sixth.

To finish up the night, Trevor May (1 IP, 2 H,  1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K)  pitched the seventh inning, Seth Lugo (1 IP, 1 H,  0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K) the eighth, and Edwin Díaz (1 IP, 0 H,  0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K) pitched the ninth for his 26th save of the season. It was a good way to round up the work that Stroman did throughout the first six innings and complete a great team win.

Stroman’s final line: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.

Final score: Mets 5-3