Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets (99-61) defeated the Washington Nationals (55-105) in game one of Tuesday’s doubleheader 4-2. Brandon Nimmo led the Mets’ offense and drove in three of the Mets’ four runs. Jeff McNeil also went 2-for-3 at the plate to raise his MLB-leading batting average to .328. McNeil has six multiple-hit games this season and is two behind Steve Henderson for the Mets single-season record. He also firmly planted himself at the top of the NL average leaderboard with two games left.

The Mets’ offense went to work in the bottom of the second and started their rally with something that has happened too often this season: a hit-by-pitch. Mark Canha was the victim again, reaching first base when Cory Abbott hit him. It was the 28th time that Canha had been hit this season and set a new personal season high for him. After a Tomás Nido single and passed ball advanced the runners to second and third, Nimmo pulled a double down the line to give the Mets a 2-0 lead.

New York kept the pressure on Washington at the bottom of the third when they loaded the bases with nobody out. The Mets, however, only scored one run in the inning. After Daniel Vogelbach struck out, Canha flew out to center field to bring home McNeil to increase the lead to 3-0.

Nimmo continued his spectacular day in the bottom of the fourth inning, launching a solo home run to increase the Mets’ lead to 4-0. It was only his third home run at Citi Field this season and his 15th of the year. Nimmo also joined Tommie Agee, Darryl Strawberry, José Reyes, and Carlos Beltrán as the only Mets to record 100 or more runs, 15-plus home runs, and five-plus triples in a single season.

Víctor Robles put Carlos Carrasco in trouble when he led off the bottom of the fifth with a double. The Nationals’ center fielder had to leave the game, however, when he came up lame running into second base. Riley Adams followed the double with a two-run home run to cut the Mets’ lead to 4-2. It was the second home run that Riley has hit against Carrasco this season.

Carrasco was subpar in game one of Tuesday’s doubleheader. He allowed two runs and one home run in four innings of work. Drew Smith came in to relieve Carrasco in the fifth inning and ran into trouble when he allowed runners to reach the corners with one out. Smith was able to escape the inning when McNeil turned a tough double play on a ground ball hit by Luke Voit.

The Mets bullpen was lights out from the fifth inning on. David Peterson, Adam Ottavino, and Edwin Díaz combined for four scoreless innings to secure a Mets victory. Ottavino and Díaz did the majority of the work, with Ottavino recording five outs and Díaz recording a four out save. It was also the fifth time this season that Díaz recorded a multiple inning save.

With the win over the Nationals, the Mets are still alive in the National League East division race. One more Braves win or Mets loss will knock the Mets out of the race.

Player of the Game

Nimmo earned the player of the game for the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader. Nimmo went 3 for 4 with a home run, double, and single. The Met’s center fielder also drove in three of the Mets’ four runs.

On Deck

Taijuan Walker (12-5, 3.59 ERA) will take the mound for the Mets in Game 2 of Tuesday’s doubleheader. In Walker’s only start against the Nationals this season, he pitched seven scoreless innings.

The Nationals will send Paolo Espino (0-8, 4.30 ERA) out to the mound to start Game 2. Espino gave up four earned runs in five innings last time out against the Atlanta Braves. However, Espino has only given up one earned run in 6 1/3 innings pitched against the Mets this season.

Game 2 of Tuesday’s doubleheader will begin after the 8 p.m. hour. Fans can catch the game on SNY and WCBS 880.