The Mets (8-7) got back in the win column after being swept by the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field this week.

Jacob deGrom played stopper and was masterful both on the mound and at the dish, as he went the distance and shut down the Washington Nationals (7-10), striking out 15 batters and retiring the last 19 batters to face him.

On the Mound

Jacob deGrom, like clockwork, proved yet again that he is the master at his craft.

The right-hander punched out two in the first inning, and two in the second, but surrendered one of just two hits against him during that frame. The only other came the next inning off the bat of Andrew Stevenson, who doubled on a ball that Brandon Nimmo didn’t field properly in center.

After that, deGrom locked in and went on to set down the next 19 batters to face him. The eight-year veteran carved through Washington’s lineup like a hot knife through butter and went on to strike out a career high 15 hitters.

Since it was the deGrom show all evening on Friday, here’s some amazin’ stats on the Mets’ ace:

  • DeGrom set a career high by striking out 15 batters tonight. He has now struck out at least 14 batters in his last three starts. DeGrom is only the third pitcher in MLB history to accomplish this feat.
  • This is the 49th time in his MLB career that deGrom has struck out at least 10 batters in an outing.
  • DeGrom set a MLB record for most strikeouts through the first four starts (50).
  • The righty extended his hitting streak at the plate to five games. The last Mets’ pitcher to record a hit in five straight games was Mike Hampton in 2000.

At the Plate

Yet again, deGrom helped his own cause at the plate.

The game remained at a 0-0 stalemate through five innings, when deGrom took matters into his own hands. The pitcher doubled and drove in J.D. Davis, then Brandon Nimmo followed up with a single that scored two.

In the bottom of the seventh, Dominic Smith added to the lead with a single that scored Nimmo.

Then, the Mets put the nail in the coffin when Nimmo drilled a two-run jack in the bottom of the eight that also scored deGrom, who singled earlier in the frame.

Nimmo went 3-for-5 at the plate, and drove in four. His batting average is a hot .408 and he has a staggering 1.042 OPS.

Michael Conforto also showed signs of turning a corner as he went 2-for-3 at the plate.

On deck

Marcus Stroman (3-0, 0.90 ERA) will look to give the Mets the series victory at Citi Field tomorrow, and will be opposed by Joe Ross (1-1, 5.87 ERA). First pitch is slated for 4:05 p.m.