Carrasco Effective Again, Leads Mets to 4-2 Win Over Nationals

The New York Mets (21-10) began their three-game series against the NL East bottom-dwelling Washington Nationals (10-21) Tuesday night. At Nationals Park, the Mets struggled to breakthrough after stranding six batters in the first five innings. However, behind another strong Carlos Carrasco performance, the Mets rallied and emerged victorious, 4-2.

After stranding two runners in consecutive innings, it was not the Mets who struck first. In the fourth inning, Maikel Franco doubled-home Josh Bell. During the play Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil combined for a beautiful relay that saved another run from scoring at the plate. This proved to be very important in a close game.

The Mets continued the theme of leaving runners on base in the fifth inning. New York mustered two walks but stranded each runner. They were not able to take advantage of Patrick Corbin who struggled with his control for a lot of the game. Corbin was removed after throwing 86 pitches over five laborious, yet scoreless innings.

Like the previous inning, the Nationals once again made the Mets pay. Riley Adams hit a solo home run to left field. This extended Washington’s lead to 2-0 after five innings.

New York finally broke through with runners on base in the sixth inning. After singles by Pete Alonso and J.D. Davis, Eduardo Escobar walked. Jeff McNeil then lined a 96 MPH double off the glove of Bell which tied the game.  In the same inning, James McCann continued his strong game at the plate by muscling a pitch out to the right-fielder’s glove. This drove in Escobar from third. Mets led 3-2 headed to the bottom half of the sixth.

Carrasco’s day ended in the seventh inning after he gave up a hit. He continued his terrific season posting a final line of 6 2/3rd innings pitched while allowing seven hits and two runs. He struck out five and did not issue a walk while throwing 83 pitches. Carrasco has now gone at least six innings in three of his six starts. He has his ERA down to 3.19.

Drew Smith entered the game and tossed another scoreless outing. He has extended his scoreless streak to 10 1/3rd innings this year over 12 outings. He has struck out 17 batters over this time. Joely Rodríguez entered for a huge out in the eighth as he got a one-pitch pop up of arguably the best hitter in the game in Juan Soto. That was Rodríguez’s eighth straight scoreless outing.

New York was able to add an insurance run in the ninth inning. After a two-base Franco error, Francisco Lindor tallied his second hit of the game. Davis then hit a sacrifice fly to deep right field to extend the Mets’ lead to 4-2.

In all, the Mets walked seven times and tallied eight hits. However, they were just 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base. Alonso had a base hit and three walks in the game, while Lindor and McNeil each tallied two knocks.

Edwin Díaz entered the game in the ninth. After a strikeout, Nelson Cruz registered a base hit. However, after a lengthy battle with Hernandez, Diaz got him to ground out into a game-ending double play. Díaz continued his strong season tallying his seventh save of the season.

Player of the Game: Jeff McNeil

McNeil struggled mightily in Sunday’s doubleheader as he went hitless over seven at-bats. He responded in a big way Tuesday night driving in the game-tying run with a double in the sixth inning. McNeil ended the game with a 2-for-3 stat line which included two runs batted in and a walk.

McNeil also made a tremendous relay throw to McCann to gun down Yadiel Hernández at home plate in the fourth inning. This helped limit Washington to only one run in the inning and two in the game.

On Deck

The Mets will continue their three-game set in Washington tomorrow night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET at Nationals Park. The projected pitching matchup is Tylor Megill (2.43 ERA) versus Aaron Sanchez (8.56 ERA). New York will look to extend their record against Washington this season to 5-1.