The New York Mets (73-83) defeated the Washington Nationals (78-78) and won their final road series of 2018 in the nation’s capital.

Pitching 

Steven Matz started today and was okay for the first two innings but had a bad third inning. He worked around a walk and a hit in the first inning. He had a quick and easy second inning but the third got away from him.

He gave up a homer to Victor Robles, walked Trea Turner, gave up an RBI double to Bryce Harper, gave up a hit to Anthony Rendon, and hit Mark Reynolds all before getting an out in the inning. He struck out Adrian Sanchez but walked Spencer Kieboom to make the score 3-1, Nationals. He got out of the jam though but his day was over. His final line was: 3 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K.

Drew Gagnon pitched a scoreless fourth inning and picked off a runner while he was at it too. Gagnon followed with a 1-2-3 fifth inning.

Paul Sewald came in for him and got himself into a bases-loaded jam with two outs and Bryce Harper up at the plate. Mickey brought in Daniel Zamora and he subsequently got Harper to pop up to third base with assistance from Todd Frazier.

Drew Smith pitched a scoreless seventh but struggled in the eighth. He gave up four earned runs on four hits. Jerry Blevins came in for him to face Bryce Harper. He got Harper to fly out and yielded to Anthony Swarzak. Swarzak walked Rendon but struck out Reynolds and retired Juan Soto to end the threat.

Swarzak pitched the ninth as well and after hitting Adam Eaton to start the inning, recorded the final three outs to get his fourth save of the season.

Offense

Amed Rosario led off the game with a single an was followed by a single from Jeff McNeil. Rosario came around to score on a sac-fly from Jay Bruce.

In the fourth, Todd Frazier began the inning with a double and both Jose Reyes and Amed Rosario walked. Jeff McNeil singled home Frazier and Michael Conforto followed with a bases-clearing triple. It’s almost like Conforto was dealing with lingering effects from his shoulder injury.

In the fifth, Dominic Smith doubled to begin the inning and Kevin Plawecki doubled him home. Amed Rosario singled to score Plawecki.

In the sixth, Jay Bruce doubled to begin the inning and both Fraizer and Bandon Nimmo walked. Bruce came around to score on Plawecki’s fielder’s choice.

Jeff McNeil had four hits on the day and walked once. Amed Rosario reached base three times on two hits and a walk. Conforto reached twice on a couple of hits. Brandon Nimmo walked three times. All in all, a good day for the youngsters.

On Deck

The Mets are off tomorrow before returning home to take on the Atlanta Braves, where David Wright is expected to be active for the first time since 2016. Noah Syndergaard (12-4, 3.36 ERA) will take the mound for the Mets against Touki Toussaint (2-1, 4.30 ERA). The game starts at 7:10 p.m. and airs on SNY.