The Mets (73-87) took on the Nationals (76-84) in the first game of a three-game set at Nationals Park. The Mets began the final series of the year looking to avoid finishing in last place in the NL East. Unfortunately, that dream is no more, as the Mets lost 7-6 in a back-and-forth game.
The Mets’ offense got going in a hurry, with Juan Soto hitting an infield single, Bo Bichette following with a walk, and Mark Vientos driving in Soto with a hustle double to give the team an early lead. Carson Benge loaded the bases with a one-out walk, with the Mets poised to put up a crooked number. However, that would not come to pass, as Francisco Alvarez grounded into an inning-ending double play, with the Mets leading 1-0 in the middle of the first inning.
Jefry Yan took the mound, looking to open the game in strong fashion while setting up a bullpen game for New York. The lefty would fail to keep the lead, allowing one of the longest singles you will ever see to CJ Abrams, allowing two runs to make it 2-1 Nationals at the end of the first.
Jonathan Pintaro replaced Yan with two on, two out in the bottom of the second inning, but did not have to do much. Alvarez threw out a runner trying to steal second to end the inning, with the score remaining 2-1.
The Mets’ stars began the third inning in productive fashion, with Francisco Lindor and Soto both singling, making it first and third with no one out. Bichette cashed in, doubling down the right field line and tying the game with runners on second and third. Vientos gave the Mets the lead with a sacrifice fly while also advancing Bichette to third with one out. Benge followed with his second walk, putting runners at first and third. However, the inning stalled there, with Alvarez and Marcus Semien striking out to end the inning with the Mets leading 3-2.
The bottom of the third inning did not go well for Pintaro, with Gary Cohen calling it a “circus.” Three wild pitches resulted in two runs and a forfeiting of the lead before an out was recorded, with the Nationals plating two runs. Cionel Pérez replaced Pintaro, and threw yet another wild pitch, and surrendered a walk. The inning went from bad to worse, as Pérez surrendered two more runs, making it 6-3 Nationals after three innings.
Justin Hagenman replaced Pérez in the bottom of the fourth inning, allowing no runs and finally righting the ship.
Bichette blasted his 18th home run of the season with one out in the top of the fifth, cutting the Nationals’ lead to two. Benge would join the home run party, becoming the first Mets rookie to have a 20 home run, 20 steal season. Nothing more came of the inning, with the Nationals leading 6-5.
After two innings of scoring peace, the Nationals finally tagged Hagenman for a run in the bottom of the seventh to extend their lead to two.
Carson Benge by Berto Carlo
The Mets battled back in the top of the eighth, starting the inning with back-to-back hits by Benge and Brett Baty. Alvarez drove in Benge with a sacrifice fly, cutting the Nationals’ lead back down to 7-6. The scoring stopped there, but A.J. Ewing got ejected after barking at the third base umpire for calling him out on a check-swing.
Nate Lavender came in to replace Hagenman, and Cristian Pache filled in for the ejected Ewing in the bottom of the eighth inning. Lavender pitched a one-two-three inning, adding to what has been a spectacular season, and leaving the door open for a Mets comeback in the ninth inning.
The Mets failed to come back in the top of the ninth inning despite a Soto walk, however, dropping the first game of the final series of the year to the Nationals.
Player of the Game: Carson Benge
Benge became the first Mets rookie, and 18th rookie in MLB history, to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases on Friday night. The milestone comes at the tail end of what has been a Rookie of the Year-caliber season for the 23-year-old. The performance was a testament to Benge’s success, with him going 2-for-2 with two walks and a home run.
On Deck
The Mets will resume action on Saturday at 12:35 p.m. EST in the second contest of the three-game set against the Nationals. Jonah Tong will make the start, looking to close out his season strong. The game will stream live on SNY, with radio coverage on WCBS 880 and the Audacy app.
