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The last time Wilmer Font was on the mound the Washington Nationals were not so kind to him as they rocked him for five runs in just 2.1 innings of work on May 15. Things though were different on Monday night in the Mets’ 5-3 victory over the Nats.
Font, 28, opened the game for New York, being named the team’s starter for the game just hours before the first pitch was thrown at Citi Field. He would go on to throw four innings of solid work, allowing just two runs on three hits while striking out three and walking four.
After the game, Font spoke of the difference between Monday night’s performance on the mound and his previous one against the same team just five days apart.
“I was able to mix pitches better,” Font said. “I was able to get that first-pitch strike better than I did last time.” (NY Daily News)
Font struggled with his control for much of the game, tossing 75 pitches, only 45 of which landed for strikes. He though consistently found ways to work himself out of trouble until the fourth inning when he allowed a home run to Anthony Rendon and an RBI single to Yan Gomes.
Wilmer’s struggles with the strike zone aside, he was able to give the Mets exactly what they needed out of an opener of sorts in a bullpen game against a division rival.
This was a game the team seemingly desperately needed to win after being swept away in Miami, losing their previous five games and a circus of sorts brewing once again in Queens.
For Font, Monday night’s start was something to build off of after getting blasted by the same team just days before. With Jason Vargas not having a timeline yet for a return to the rotation from his hamstring strain, it is possible we may see Font take the mound once more.
